China rolls out red carpet for embattled Theresa May
‘I’m not a quitter’ insists PM as ‘accidental leadership contest’ looms

Theresa May is vowing to fight on despite mounting reports that her opponents within the Conservative Party are close to getting the 48 signatures needed to trigger a no-confidence vote.
“First and foremost I’m serving my country, my party,” the Prime Minister told reporters during a Beijing trip intended to focus on trade. “I’m not a quitter.”
Pressed repeatedly about her future, the PM reiterated her commitment to the job, “but stopped short of promising to fight the next election in 2022”, says Politico’s Tom McTague.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
May urged MPs to focus on what matters to the public, rather than Westminster high jinks.
“But having been often accused of sticking her fingers in her ears and ignoring reality, the Prime Minister did for the first time acknowledge that she needs to do more to explain what the Government is up to and to be more forceful about what she believes she has achieved,” says BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg.
May’s defiance comes as Justice Minister Phillip Lee made an extraordinary intervention following the leaked government analysis into the economic impact of Brexit. In a tweet last night, Lee urged May to rethink her Brexit strategy.
“If these figures turn out to be anywhere near right, there would be a serious question over whether a government could legitimately lead a country along a path that the evidence and rational consideration indicate would be damaging,” he wrote.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
As many as 40 Tory MPs have signed a letter calling for the beleaguered PM to be replaced as party leader, according to some media reports. Under Tory party rules, 48 MPs - 15% of the party - must sign in order to trigger a formal vote of no confidence.
While the majority of Tory ministers may support the PM, says Business Insider, there are worries that an unanticipated event could trigger a challenge.
An unnamed MP reportedly told the news website: “Every time an event comes along, whether it’s [the release of Black Cab rapist John] Worboys, or Davos, or whatever it might be, there are clearly those in the party who are agitating to make it into some sort of seismic shift in her leadership. I think the fundamentals are still in her favour but it’s certainly possible that something will come along to change that.”
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Five policies from the Tory conference
In Depth Party leader Kemi Badenoch has laid out the Conservative plan for a potential future government
-
Charlie Kirk honored as ‘martyr’ at memorial rally
Speed Read At a service for the slain conservative activist, speakers included President Donald Trump and many top administration officials
-
Can the Lib Dems be a party of government again?
Today's Big Question Leader Ed Davey is urged to drop the stunts and present a serious plan for the country
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
'Gen Z has been priced out of a future, so we invest in the present'
instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Are we entering the post-Brexit era?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer's 'big bet' with his EU reset deal is that 'nobody really cares' about Brexit any more