Theresa May reluctant to confirm she will fight 2020 election

Theresa May - Image credit: Scott Heppell/PA

Theresa May has stopped short of reaffirming her pledge to fight the next general election, saying she only that she would “make sure Brexit happens".

Speaking ahead of a visit to the United Nations, the Prime Minister seemed reluctant to confirm recent remarks made in Japan, when she told reporters she would stay on as Conservative leader to fight the next campaign expected in 2022.

The Prime Minister told ABC: "I'm going to pass Brexit. I'm going to make sure that Brexit happens because the British people voted for it.

“And I think it's really important that politicians actually do respond and do listen to people.

“We gave the public the choice. They made their choice. And that's why I think it's important.”

Asked if she would stay on as leader of her party until the next election, she replied: “Well, the next election isn't going to be until after we have Brexit.”

This is in contrast to her firm reply when asked the same question in August, when she told reporters: “There’s been an awful lot of speculation which has no basis in it whatsoever.”

Asked at the time if she would fight the next election as Tory leader, she said: "Yes." And she added: "I’m in this for the long term."