Relaxed Theresa May spotted relishing constituency life – as Boris Johnson falters

Former prime minister hunts for potholes, while successor faces tumultuous week of resignations

Former prime minister Theresa May poses beside a pothole in her constituency in Maidenhead with local council leader Simon Dudled, 8 September 2019. (Simon Dudley)

Former prime minister Theresa May has been pictured looking relaxed as she returns to constituency life – while Boris Johnson faced a tumultuous week.

The Maidenhead MP flashed a wide smile at the camera as she pointed at a pothole in her constituency alongside Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council leader Simon Dudley.

Posting the image on Twitter on Saturday, Mr Dudley wrote: “With @theresa_may reporting her first potholes in Alexandra Road in Belmont ward in #Maidenhead under the new 24 hour working repair scheme from @RBWM.”

It is poles apart from her days spent meeting world leaders and negotiating her Brexit deal in Brussels just a matter of months ago before she stood down in June.

But Ms May looked visibly more laid back in white Converse trainers and a navy suit than her successor Boris Johnson, who this week lost his majority in the Commons, fired 21 Tory MPs and saw two ministers resign in two days – his own brother Jo Johnson, and Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd.

Mr Dudley said he often joins Ms May out and about in the constituency.

He told The Independent: “Theresa was very relaxed enjoying chatting to her constituents about issues important to them.

“She is a very dedicated local MP and has always worked tirelessly for her residents.”

Mr Johnson last week sacked a slew of senior members of his own party, many of them having served in top government jobs, including former chancellors Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond, and Winston Churchill’s grandson Sir Nicholas Soames, after they supported opposition moves to block a no-deal Brexit.

Windsor and Maidenhead council launched its new pothole scheme last Sunday, which aims to fix all reported potholes over 40mm deep on roads or 25mm deeps on footpaths within 24 working hours.