Following the resignation of Andrea Leadsom from the Conservative Party leadership race, outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron announced that May — the Home Secretary of six years — would be sworn in as PM on Wednesday afternoon, making her only the second woman to hold office in the UK after Margaret Thatcher.
Welcome news we have 1 candidate with overwhelming support to be next PM. Theresa May has strength, integrity & determination to do the job
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) July 11, 2016
This latest development, which coincides with the launch of Angela Eagle's campaign to unseat Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour party, has highlighted the increasing presence of women in British politics.
I can't do this alone. If you want a strong Labour Party to take on the Tories, join us now https://t.co/h7sklqawaY pic.twitter.com/tmLKsNA7e3
— Angela Eagle (@angelaeagle) July 11, 2016
Circumstances pending, the UK is facing a very possible scenario whereby the prime minister, leader of the opposition, First Minister of Scotland and First Minister of Northern Ireland are all women — with women also leading the Green Party, Plaid Cymru and the Scottish Conservative and Scottish Labour parties.
Theresa May
The Home Secretary will become the next British prime minister after Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the race to become Conservative party leader.
Theresa May arrives at Downing Street to survey the damage. pic.twitter.com/luTPiMVj2H
— Chris BrosnahIN (@ChrisBrosnahan) July 11, 2016
Angela Eagle
Perhaps dogged by the timing of Andrea Leadsom's resignation from the Conservative leadership race, the former Shadow First Secretary of State launched her bid to become the Labour party's leader on Monday.
This will trigger a leadership election for the Labour party, where members will choose to either keep current leader Jeremy Corbyn or vote for Eagle to take over as opposition leader.
Nicola Sturgeon
The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) has been the First Minister of Scotland since November 2014, leading the SNP to a near whitewash of Scottish seats in last year's UK general election.
"With Nicola Sturgeon at the helm, Scotland will not obediently follow England out of the EU." — Former Icelandic PM Johanna Siguroardottir
— Mark Coburn (@indycyclist) July 1, 2016
A strong performer in debates, Sturgeon has led calls for Scotland to remain in the EU following the British public's decision to vote to the union.
Arlene Foster
Perhaps lesser known internationally, Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster in January became the first woman to hold the position of First Minister of Northern Ireland, operating in a joint power-sharing role with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.
Natalie Bennett
The UK's Green Party have a strong history of female leaders with Natalie Bennett taking over the party's leadership from Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas in 2012.
The US, UK, and Germany all having female leaders early next year is going to be something. Need 1 more to make the G7 majority female.
— John Hagner (@jhagner) July 7, 2016
Bennett led the Greens to last year's election but has announced she will stand down from the position at the end of her term in August.
Leanne Wood
Not to be outdone by the other Home Nations, Wales also has a prominent female political leader in Leanne Wood, head of the Welsh party Plaid Cymru.
Wood has held the position since 2012, becoming the first woman to be elected as leader and the first non-fluent Welsh speaker leading the party.
Well that's 3 of the 4 UK countries having female leaders. It's Wales' turn now
— Help Jack (@tunn0cksteacake) July 11, 2016
Ruth Davidson
The Scottish Conservatives leader has been at the helm since 2011, leading the party to an historic second place finish in this year's Scottish Parliament elections.
Theresa May will be the next UK Prime Minister, adding to a record-high number of simultaneous female world leaders. pic.twitter.com/6NwJmjLbJb
— RiotWomenn (@RiotWomennn) July 11, 2016
Apart form being a trailblazer for female political figures in Scotland, Davidson has also become a spokesperson for LGBT rights after announcing her engagement to partner Jen Wilson in May.
Making it a clean sweep for female major party leaders in Scotland is the Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, who has held the post since August last year.
