Now that she’s going, it’s time to set the record straight on Theresa May’s ‘feminist’ legacy

The outgoing prime minister’s potted history of delicate gestures is far from enough to position herself as a champion of equality – especially as her policies have further woven inequality into the fabric of our society

Standing on the steps of Downing Street, Theresa May closed her resignation remarks by reflecting on her role as the UK’s “second female prime minister, but certainly not the last”. In stark contrast to her only female predecessor, Margaret Thatcher – who deemed just one woman in 11 years worthy of joining her in cabinet – it is telling that May chose to depart with a nod to her position as a consciously female leader.

As the premiership of a woman once branded by the Daily Telegraph as “Britain’s most feminist prime minister ever” comes to an end, it is crucial to separate the rhetoric from the reality of May’s commitment to equality and women’s rights.

May could rightly point towards her support for shared parental leave, mandatory gender pay gap reporting and the expansion of laws against domestic violence to include coercive control – a policy she pushed from the Home Office to Downing Street – as evidence of flying the feminist flag in office.

She founded Women2Win, a group supporting the selection of female candidates in winnable seats and was the Conservative’s first minister for women and equalities.

However, these have all too often been additions and afterthoughts, rather than a standout policy platform. Despite being proudly pictured in the Fawcett Society’s “This is what a feminist looks like” T-shirt, it’s far from crystal clear that May’s policies match her printworks.

Whilst Brexit has dominated, her hardline immigration policy pre-dates the public vote, presiding over what Yvette Cooper called “the state-sanctioned abuse of women” at Yarl’s Wood detention centre. Despite pledging to end the era of austerity, May has barely slowed the tidal wave of cuts, never mind reversing the damage done by her predecessors.

Across the country, cuts to social care, benefits and legal aid have seen living standards fall and food bank use rise. Central government funding for local government was cut by a further 30 per cent between 2017-2019, with an extraordinary 85 per cent of the burden falling on the heads of women; in particular women of colour and disabled women, who rely disproportionately on local services.

More than 75 per cent of local authorities have had to slash spending on domestic violence refuges, with a third of referrals turned away due to a lack of space and resources. The Women’s Budget Group point to a gender employment gap of 9 points in 2018, rising to 24 when measured in full-time employment; whilst the Treasury refuses to conduct equality impact assessments to determine where the weight of their policies fall.

As the door of Downing Street closes behind a woman often herself subjected to sexism, it is worth questioning why we’d hold a female prime minister to a standard seldom set, and even more rarely met, by male leaders. Did we ever scrutinise David Cameron for his suits, which weren’t exactly off the sale-rail, or his feminist scruples?

The world in which May has governed has experienced seismic changes in the way we understand and prioritise the fight for equality. In a world shaken awake by #MeToo and Women’s Marches, even the male candidates vying for May’s job have queued up to brand themselves feminists (with the glaring exemption of Dominic Raab, who refuses to touch the term with a bargepole).

Yet as public awareness rises, so do our standards. May might think of herself as a feminist, but often treats being one like she does her Frida Kahlo bracelet – an accessory, to be worn only when it matches. She has spoken out against sexual abuse, yet restored the whip to two MPs accused of such offences so they could vote to save her job.

Following the 2017 election, she gave clout and cash to the DUP, a party whose draconian stance on abortion means British women in Belfast are accorded a tenth of the reproductive rights as women in Beeston.

Despite the “Dancing Queen” departing Downing Street with a nod to her feminist credentials, a potted history of delicate gestures is not enough for May to position herself as a champion of equality; especially as the policies she propagates further weave inequality into the fabric of our society.

Whilst no one can deny the significance of seeing women in positions of power – female power is only consequential for feminism if it is used to improve the lives of other women, whatever their race, religion or social status. Actions speak louder than a slogan on a T-shirt.