For some time, Britainโs Home Secretary Theresa May has been known for her steely reserve โ and, in some corners of the UK press, her fancy footwear (her collection of jewel-encrusted peep toes and patent leather boots are a fixture in the UK tabloids).
But this 59-year-old, Oxford-educated politician has more to offer than her head-turning wardrobe choices.
It is expected that within days, May will announce sheโs standing to be leader of Britainโs Conservative party, following the Brexit outcome and Prime Minister David Cameronโs subsequent resignation.
Many believe that Boris Johnson, the mop-haired, polarising ex-London Mayor, is poised to take over as Prime Minister, but insiders say that May has been tasked with spearheading the โStop Borisโ campaign.
According to The Telegraph, a source close to Cameron said: โThere is a special place in hell reserved for Boris. We need to get behind Theresa. Sheโs the grown-up.โ
As the longest-serving Home Secretary this century, May possesses the unflappable focus and smarts required for the top job, plus โ unlike Johnson โ she has managed to emerge from the Brexit battle relatively unscathed, having quietly sat on the fence. Could she be the lady to unite and reinvigorate the disenchanted Brits?
If May, who describes herself as a feminist, gets the keys to Number 10 Downing St, sheโll be the second woman (after fellow Tory Margaret Thatcher) to step into the British Prime Ministerโs shoes. In leopard-print pumps, of course.