Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom: How the Conservative leadership candidates compare on policies
There are some differences between the two candidates to be Britain's next Prime Minister
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Your support makes all the difference.There are now two candidates left in the Conservative party leadership contest: Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom.
Both will now be put to Conservative party members, and whoever wins will become both leader of the Tory party and British Prime Minister.
Here are how their political positions compare.
Immigration
Theresa May
Says controlling EU immigration must be a part of the Brexit deal, but says single market access has “priority”. Sent vans through Britain telling illegal immigrants to “go home”.
Andrea Leadsom
Says “freedom of movement will end” – and that she’ll propose some kind of “third way” to retain EU free trade.
Economy
Theresa May
Has ruled out holding an emergency budget. Says she wants to run on a “one nation” programme “that works not for the privileged but for everyone”.
Andrea Leadsom
Says that “the richest people in Britain will not be my priority,” but has backed stripping away workers’ right. Previously suggested exempting small companies from paying the minimum wage and cutting maternity pay rights.
Same-sex marriage
Theresa May
Voted for same-sex marriage, but previously voted against repealing section 28, reducing the age of consent for gay sex, and civil partnerships.
Andrea Leadsom
Abstained on same-sex marriage and this week said she “didn’t like” the legislation. Says weddings in churches should only be between a man and a woman and that equal marriage “hurts Christians”.
Welfare
Theresa May
Voted for the Conservatives’ welfare cuts.
Andrea Leadsom
Voted for the Conservatives’ welfare cuts.
Brexit
Theresa May
Campaigned for Remain but now says she will accept the result. Says she’ll get the “best possible” settlement, prioritise single market access but get some controls on immigration.
Andrea Leadsom
Campaigned for Leave and appeared in a television debate at Wembley Arena in support of quitting the EU. In 2013 she said leaving the EU would be a “disaster” but has since said she changed her mind.
Fox hunting
Theresa May
Supports fox hunting. Described by Brian May as “that well-known lovely advocate of fox-hunting”.
Andrea Leadsom
Says she’ll bring forward a vote in parliament to repeal the hunting ban. Says bringing back fox hunting with hounds would be good for “animal welfare”.
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