Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Theresa May will “unite Britain”

Britain’s new prime minister Theresa May will unify the United Kingdom as she leads the country out of the European Union despite deep splits in her party, prominent government minister Lord Tariq Ahmad has said.

The Conservative peer, who has known May for 25 years – going back to her days as a local councillor in Merton – told Eastern Eye she was an incredibly driven figure who was known on the world stage.


Speaking about May’s swift move into Downing Street on Wednesday (13) after her rival Andrea Leadsom dramatically quit the race Lord Ahmad said she was the right person to govern Britain because she had outlined a “bright and optimistic future for the UK”.

In his role at the Home Office, Lord Ahmad has worked on policies aimed at preventing extremism with May, the former home secretary, who has a reputation for being tough. He said she had the ability to bring focus to a team and made sure that people were accountable.

“She’s incredibly driven. I’m amazed by her resilience in terms of how many hours [she works] and the volume of work and diversity of issues she has to deal with,” he said.

“Working alongside her as I’ve done as a minister in her team, (I’ve seen) her capacity to deal with issues which are suddenly crisis situations, and her calm way of dealing with matters. She has a deep grasp of how to pull people together and have the right discussions at the right level to provide direction at the time of challenges.”

Lord Ahmad said she had an understanding of Muslim communities and why young people were susceptible to becoming radicalised.

“She understands why people go down this route and this means strengthening the way you work with these communities, the trust and the bridge you have to build with communities. Her view is very much on getting things done but on issues which require action, it’s also important to build coalitions.

“She believes Britain is enriched by communities and our different cultures.”

Writing exclusively for Eastern Eye this week, Lord Ahmad said in a comment piece: “Her record speaks volumes of her strength of character and ability to deliver. Yet leadership is about direction and vision. She has outlined a bright and optimistic future for the UK as we move to new role in the world outside the European Union… She is the leader who will unify the United Kingdom as a country that works for everyone.”

Following David Cameron’s final Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (13), May was due to go to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen and receive her invitation to form a government.

She is the second female prime minister, following in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher who led the Conservative party in the 1980s.

Lord Ahmad explained that May was instrumental in his decision to join the Tory party because of her “one nation” ideology which complemented the values he grew up with.

In the coming weeks, May has a tricky task in uniting a divided Conservative party following the unexpected result of the EU referendum.

While she supported Britain staying in the bloc, she kept a low profile in the lead up to the vote and insists she will honour its outcome, stressing on Monday: “Brexit means Brexit.”

However, Lord Ahmad said the new prime minister was in no rush to trigger Article 50, because she wanted to provide certainty on the UK’s position.

He also believes that May is someone who could bring the Tories together again.

“For someone who believed strongly in fundamental reform of the EU, she was loyal to the decision of David Cameron,” he said.

“She was the only person who came out very clearly right at the beginning at the launch of her bid for leadership to say she will create a separate senior minister of cabinet rank who will lead on this (Brexit) and will come from those Conservative colleagues who were on the Brexit side.

“She’s recognised for who she is and what she is on the world stage. In establishing Britain’s position in the world stage in a post-EU world where Britain is no longer a member of the EU, we have someone who already has that stature, who is able to position the UK in that respect.”

May has already given some hints about what her key policies might be this week.

She has made it clear that she is interpreting the results of June’s referendum as indicative of wider disenchantment and inequality within British society.

“The referendum was a vote to leave the European Union, but it was also a vote for serious change,” she said earlier this week before she became the country’s new leader, in a speech that heavily criticised her own government’s economic policies. “This is a different kind of Conservatism,” May added.

Several commentators have said that her policies sounded similar to some put forward by the Labour party, while others said ironically, they resembled European corporate practices.

Leading up to the leadership election which was set to be held in September, May said she would crack down on curbing corporate excess. She called for greater transparency on bonuses and a system to ensure that “bosses’ incentives are better aligned with the long-term interests of the company and its shareholders”.

Another significant pledge was to include consumers and employees on company boards as part of a series of measures she said would help “put people back in control”.

May was set to announce the new appointments in her cabinet after Eastern Eye went to press on Tuesday, with Asian MPs Priti Patel and Sajid Javid expected to feature in her new team.

More For You

Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less