Theresa May shrugged off the threat of a ‘right wing coup’ from Boris Johnson today – vowing to fight the next election.
The Prime Minister insisted she was in her job for the ‘long term’ despite a rising backlash among Tory grassroots over her soft Brexit plans.
Mrs May sidestepped questions over whether she feared being booed at party conference, merely insisting she would deliver ‘important messages’ to the faithful.
She also played down fears over ‘entryism’ with a wave of hardline Brexiteers said to be joining in expectation of a leadership contest.
Theresa May (pictured today in Cape Town) shrugged off the threat of a ‘right wing coup’ from Boris Johnson today – vowing to fight the next election
There has been mounting speculation over a move against her by Boris Johnson (pictured in Oxfordshire earlier this month), who dramatically quit in protest at the Chequers plan earlier this summer
The combative stance came as Mrs May was grilled by reporters during a trip to Africa today.
There has been mounting speculation over a move against her by Mr Johnson, who dramatically quit in protest at the Chequers plan earlier this summer.
The PM defended her proposals for future relations with the EU, despite Mr Johnson using his newspaper column yesterday to compare it to the treatment Greece received when it nearly went bankrupt after the credit crunch.
Mrs May stressed that the government had stepped up ‘no deal’ planning alongside negotiating with the EU.
Asked if she was concerned about getting booed and slow-handclapped by restive Tory activists at conference, Mrs May said: ‘I will be going to conference with important messages about what we as a government are doing.’
Pressed on whether she stood by her commitment to lead the Tories into next general election, Mrs May said: ‘I’ve answered that question before.
‘I’m in this for the long term.
‘The British people voted for us to leave the EU and I’m focused on doing that.’
The PM was asked if she feared being ousted in a ‘right wing coup’ like Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull, a longstanding friend since they attended Oxford University together.
‘The Australian politics have certainly been active over the last week or two,’ she said.
‘I think if you look at Australia politics they are rather different than you see in the UK.’
Asked in a separate interview with ITV news tonight whether she had ‘noticed how much Boris wants your job’, Mrs May delivered a withering put-down.
‘I was very pleased that Boris was foreign secretary for the period that he was foreign secretary,’ she said.
Mrs May was in South Africa today as she kicked off a major trade mission, which will also see her visit Kenya and Nigeria.
The Prime Minister (pictured today during an official welcoming ceremony with South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa) insisted she was in her job for the ‘long term’ despite a rising backlash among Tory grassroots over her soft Brexit plans
Theresa May held talks with Cyril Ramaphosa (pictured right) at the Presidential Palace in Cape Town today
The Prime Minister told Mr Ramaphosa she wanted Britain to be a ‘partner’ for South Africa
The PM denied being ‘late to the party’ in forging ties with Africa today as she revealed six countries have agreed to ‘roll over’ trade deals with the EU.
In the first trade pacts confirmed for after Brexit, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland will continue the existing terms of the European Partnership Agreement after the UK leaves the bloc.
Theresa May laughs off mockery over her awkward ‘Maybot’ dancing with South African schoolchildren
Theresa May risked acute embarrassment today as she danced with school children on the first day of her African tour
Theresa May today laughed off mockery over her awkward ‘Maybot’ dancing with schoolchildren during a visit to South Africa.
The Prime Minister’s toe-curling moves as she watched a display of traditional singing and dancing sparked comparisons with footballer Peter Crouch’s famous ‘robot’.
But responding to the slew of ridicule tonight, Mrs May admitted: ‘I suspect my dancing this morning might not make it on to Strictly.’
The premier’s toe-curling bid to copy the children’s movements had TV viewers watching through their fingers as she jerked and shuffled her way across the playground.
A video of her dance moves provoked hilarity online, with Twitter jokers comparing her to the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.
Delivering a speech in Cape Town, the PM also announced a major expansion of Britain’s diplomatic presence in Africa.
And she unveiled billions more of investment in the continent, and said the foreign aid budget would be used ‘unashamedly’ to drive closer trade ties.
But she was forced to defend the government’s level of engagement – after critics pointed out that she is the first UK premier to tour sub-Saharan Africa since 2011.
Since 2010 French presidents have visited 27 times, while Xi Jinping of China has gone there 79 times since 2011.
Asked after the speech whether she accepted more could have been done, Mrs May said bluntly: ‘No.’
She argued that former foreign secretary Mr Johnson had made a series of visits to the continent.
‘We have been working with African nations and African governments in the past,’ she said.
‘What I’m talking about today is a new partnership for the future recognising the challenges that we both face.’
She was able to deliver some positive news on Brexit, with the first confirmation that some of the EU’s existing trade deals will be rolled over once the UK has left.
Mrs May said: ‘This agreement is a hugely positive step and will ensure that our important trade relationships in southern Africa will not be disrupted as we leave the EU, providing continuity for UK firms and consumers, and for our trading partners here – as well as paving the way for more exciting opportunities in future.’
Appearing to copy the dance moves around her, the PM shuffled toward the children while grinning for the cameras
Mrs May was greeted by a crowd of singing children and indulged in a dance in the playground – watched on by aides and reporters
The statement of intent is the most advanced yet from around 40 existing EU trade agreements that the UK hopes to continue.
The arrangements would be ready to come into force in March 2019 if negotiations with the EU fail.
The UK’s trade with southern Africa is worth almost £10billion annually – including £5billion of exports.
Mrs May also made clear the £2.6billion in aid the UK distributes in Africa annually would be used to drive economic growth that will help Britain thrive outside the EU.
‘The UK’s role in international development is something of which I’m immensely proud as I believe the nation as a whole should be,’ she said.
‘We will remain a global champion for aid spending, humanitarian relief and international development.
‘We will continue our commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross national income on official development assistance and we will not falter in our work to deliver the sustainable development goals.’
She said: ‘I want to be clear, foreign aid works.’
Mrs May said: ‘I want to put our development budget and expertise at the centre of our partnership as part of an ambitious new approach – and use this to support the private sector to take root and grow.’
She kicked off her three-day charm offensive in Africa by dancing with some schoolchildren on the first leg of her tour.
The Prime Minister was mocked for her awkward ‘Maybot’ dancing with the youngsters in South Africa.
The Prime Minister’s toe-curling moves as she watched a display of traditional singing and dancing sparked comparisons with footballer Peter Crouch’s famous ‘robot’.
But she laughed off criticisms, admitting: ‘I suspect my dancing this morning might not make it on to Strictly.’
A video of her dance moves provoked hilarity online, with Twitter jokers comparing her to the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.