Ahead of confidence vote, May signals she’ll quit before 2022 election

Majority of lawmakers have indicated they will support the British prime minister, however the decision will be made via secret ballot

By Agencies 12 December 2018, 10:20 pm

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Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session, at parliament in London, Dec. 12, 2018 (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

British Prime Minister Theresa May told her MPs Wednesday she plans to quit before the 2022 election, as she seeks their support in a confidence vote, lawmakers said.

“She said she does not intend to lead the 2022 election,” Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke told journalists after the closed-door meeting, confirming other reports.

“She’s made the commitment that I think is what people wanted, but she was very clear that she won’t be taking the general election in 2022,” cabinet minister Amber Rudd told the BBC.

May spoke to dozens of Conservative lawmakers ahead of a no-confidence vote among them that will decide her fate. If she loses she will be removed as party and government leader.

The majority of MPs have said they will support May in the vote, however the ballot is held secretly.

The prime minister was greeted by table banging as she entered a room in the House of Commons to address backbenchers, a customary sign of approval, but May faces a tough crowd that includes rivals such as former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis who are among critics of May’s Brexit deal with the European Union.

In this photo from September 8, 2018, Britain’s former foreign secretary Boris Johnson reacts to seeing photographers taking his picture as he sits in a spectator seat whilst attending the fifth cricket test match of a five match series between England and India at the Oval cricket ground in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

Tory Brexiteers are hoping to topple May in Wednesday evening’s vote, but she made a last-minute appeal to party-members, saying ditching her now would plunge the country into even more uncertainty.

One lawmaker who attended, James Cleverly, said May “made it very clear that there is a job of work to be done (on Brexit) and this is a delay and a distraction.”

Earlier in the day, May said a change of national leader would result in Britain’s departure from the European Union being delayed or stopped, as she vowed to fight to stay in power.

May made the defiant statement outside Downing Street, arguing that stepping aside at a time of crisis would “put our country’s future at risk and create uncertainty when we can least afford it.”

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.