THERESA May has claimed she is “woke and proud”.
Speaking on Times Radio alongside Ruth Davidson, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, May agreed that she fit the definition of “somebody who recognises that discrimination takes place”.
The former Prime Minister added that the term had been politicised “as part of this absolutism and polarisation of politics”.
The term woke has been recently attributed to social justice issues, typically with negative connotations.
READ MORE: The future of democracy in the UK isn't looking bright
For example, Rishi Sunak – the third Prime Minister since May’s resignation in 2019 – previously committed to reviewing the Equality Act to stop “woke nonsense” permeating public life.
During her time as Prime Minister, May put forward plans to allow trans people to self-ID without the need for a medical diagnosis.
The plans were later scrapped by Boris Johnson, her successor.
Debate around the right for trans people to self-ID has become more prevalent in the last year, as the Scottish Government passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill which was later blocked by the UK Government.
A judicial review of the Bill will begin on September 19 and will last three days.
READ MORE: Labour majority at risk as support drifts back to SNP, poll finds
During the radio appearance, May also said she has “always” believed immigration is “good for the country”.
May was Prime Minister when the Windrush scandal broke in 2018, as people were wrongly detained and in some cases deported by the Home Office.
May was Home Secretary under David Cameron between 2010 and 2016, and oversaw the deportation of more than 80 Commonwealth citizens who had a legal right to remain in the UK.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel