Oxfordshire-bred Theresa May takes seat on red bench in Lords

Baroness May of Maidenhead, who grew up in Wheatley and attended St Hugh's College, Oxford, wore the traditional scarlet robes for the short introduction ceremony in the upper chamber where she swore the oath of allegiance to the King.

The 67-year-old, who stepped down from the Commons at the last election after 27 years, was supported by fellow Conservative peers Lord True, shadow leader in the Lords, and Baroness Evans of Bowes Park.

Among those looking on from the gallery above yesterday (September 12) was Lady May’s husband Philip, who she met at Oxford and married in 1980.

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Her admission to the red benches was greeted with a louder than usual customary shout of approval from the Tory benches.

The former prime minister was loudly cheered from Conservative benches (Image: House of Lords/PA) Lady May was first elected as MP for Maidenhead in 1997, and served as home secretary under David Cameron between 2010 and 2016 before succeeding him as prime minister.

Her term in Downing Street lasted a turbulent three years and was dominated by wrangling over Brexit.

After seeing her proposed withdrawal agreement with the EU roundly defeated three times in the Commons, she faced a no confidence vote in her leadership.

Although she survived, her authority was diminished and she announced her resignation five months later in a tearful statement on the steps of Downing Street.

Lady May never really recovered from her disastrous decision to call a snap general election a year after entering No 10.

She had hoped to capitalise on her early popularity, but instead saw her majority wiped out after an ill-judged campaign which saw the hasty withdrawal of the so-called “dementia tax” manifesto pledge.

Baroness May of Maidenhead’s tenure as prime minister saw turbulence over Brexit (Image: House of Lords/PA)

It left her reliant on the votes of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionists to prop up her government.

On stepping down as an MP, Lady May said she would focus on championing causes including the fight against modern slavery for which she has been a consistent campaigner.

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Also taking his seat in the unelected chamber was Liam Booth-Smith, who served as chief of staff to Rishi Sunak when he was both chancellor and prime minister.

The 38-year-old swapped his trademark leather biker jacket and open shirt for the scarlet robes and a tie as he swore allegiance to the King at the despatch box.

Lord Booth Smith was supported by fellow Conservative peers Lord Finkelstein and Lord Petitgas.

After swearing in, he appeared to forget to sign the peers’ register until he was gently reminded by the clerk.