Who is Theresa May, Britain’s Next Prime Minister?

US Citizens have been paying more attention to Britain this month than we have since 1776, but there are still some major information gaps. For a time, we were all scratching our heads and trying to figure out what Brexit was. Then, when it was finally happening, we had to try and comprehend the repercussions and the benefits of the decision that won’t go into effect for at least a year, if not two. In the aftermath of the successful Brexit vote, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced his resignation today While the US election cycle is still dragging on until November, we already

The race to fill Cameron’s shoes, and No 10, ended before it really began, when Andrea Leadsom, the Minister of State for Energy and a Conservative Party politician, withdrew from the race. Shortly after announcing that she would seek the role of Prime Minister, Theresa May received news that she would in fact take the position as soon as Cameron tendered his resignation. Mrs. May will be the second woman to ever serve as Prime Minister of Britain, taking on the role once held by fellow Conservative Margaret Thatcher. There will be no general election, as Mrs. May now faces no opposition.

Theresa May is the current Home Secretary, responsible for the internal affairs of England and Wales, along with immigration and citizenship for the United Kingdom. She has been in this role since 2010. May is also a Member of Parliament for Maidenhead, where she has been serving since 1997. From 2010 to 2012 she also served as the Minister for Women and Equalities.

Born in Eastbourne, Sussez, May, now 59, was the daughter of a clergyman. She studied geography at Oxford University’s St. Hugh’s College and graduated in 1977. Politically, May has been described as a “liberal conservative” and compared to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Others who know her describe her as a serious workaholic, and “the nearest thing you could find in British politics today to Margaret Thatcher.” That is to say, we all hope so.

Here is where May stands on some of the most important issues, according to her voting history:

Gay Rights: She has voted for and against different measures

Hunting Ban: She has almost always voted against it

Same Sex Marriage: She has consistently voted to allow it

Physician Assisted Suicide: She has voted against it

Iraq War: She consistently voted for it

EU: She generally voted for a referendum on the issue

Welfare Benefits: She voted for a reduction in spending on them.

Income Tax: She voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay it

Corporation Tax: She voted for reducing the rates

Schools: She almost always voted for greater autonomy in schools

House of Lords: She voted for them to be wholly elected

ID Cards: She voted against introducing them

Immigration: She consistently voted for stronger enforcement of immigration rules.

Upon learning that she was to become leader of the Conservative Party, and Britain, she released a statement that said,

“I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Conservative Party to become its leader. I would like to pay tribute to the other candidates during the election campaign, and I would like to pay tribute to Andrea Leadsom for the dignity that she has shown today. During this campaign, my case has been based on three things. First, the need for strong, proven leadership to steer us through what will be difficult and uncertain economic and political times. The need of course to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU and to forge a new role for ourselves in the world. Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make a success of it. Second, we need to unite our country. And third, we need a strong, new, and positive vision for the future of our country. A vision of a country that works not for the privileged few but works for every one of us. Because we’re going to give people more control over their lives. That’s how together we will build a better Britain.”