Theresa May to resist pressure to call for general election

Theresa May - credit PA

New UK Prime Minister Theresa May is understood not to give in to pressure to consider calling for a general election amid accusations her appointment is a “coronation”.

Close ally Michael Fallon said she told yesterday's cabinet meeting she intended to stay in post until 2020 without an election.

May will take office later after her challenger in the Conservative leadership contest Andrea Leadsom stood aside.

During the contest she ruled out an early election because it would create “instability” in the wake of the vote to leave the European Union, but with Labour leader facing a leadership challenge and behind in the opinion polls, an election might be seen to provide May with a mandate and an increased majority.

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To call an election May would need the backing of two thirds of all MPs in the Commons under the Fixed Term Parliament Act.

Labour’s election coordinator Jon Trickett branded May’s election a “coronation”.

“It is crucial, given the instability caused by the Brexit vote, that the country has a democratically elected Prime Minister. I am now putting the whole of the party on a general election footing,” he said.

“It is time for the Labour Party to unite and ensure the millions of people in the country left behind by the Tories' failed economic policies, have the opportunity to elect a Labour government.”

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “With Theresa May’s coronation we need an early General Election,” he said. “The Tories now have no mandate. Britain deserves better than this.”

Green MP Caroline Lucas said she too felt an election was needed.

Tory MPs are understood to be less keen on going to the country.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson added: “The country needs certainty and stability going forward and that’s exactly what a Theresa May premiership can provide.

“In Mrs May we will have a Prime Minister who has the experience, the judgement and the leadership to start that job from day one.”

Davidson also said SNP talk of a second referendum on Scottish independence was “unjustified and irresponsible”.

“The SNP is, as usual, trying to seize on a moment of doubt and uncertainty to declare that the shining star of independence is the answer.

"And it's trying to claim that, as a result of Brexit, there is now a massive groundswell for a second independence referendum.

"This is simply not true. Even after the EU vote, only four in 10 people in Scotland say there should be an independence referendum," she said.