Theresa May at No 10 – A new prime minister for the UK

One element of the maelstrom of United Kingdom politics after the historic vote to leave the European Union was crystallised last week as Theresa May replaced David Cameron as the prime minister charged with leading the Brexit negotiations.

Emerging as the only candidate left standing in the Conservative leadership contest, May became prime minister on 12 July – much earlier than if a full ballot of the party membership had been required.

The UK’s universities, still smarting from the outcome of the referendum in which they campaigned almost unanimously to remain, were predictably diplomatic in their muted responses to the change at No 10.

Some concerns

Privately there will be some concerns. It is not long since they were engaged in a war of words with May when, as home secretary, she remained deaf to their pleas over the impact on international students of tighter immigration controls.

As recently as October 2015, Universities UK challenged May’s refusal to take international students out of the immigration data.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “While genuine international students in the UK continue to be caught up in efforts to bear down on immigration, it will feed the perception internationally that the UK is closed for business and does not welcome students.

“As the foreign secretary suggested last month, one step the government could take would be to remove international students from their net migration target.

“International students and staff make an enormous contribution to the UK, academically, culturally and economically. Reducing the number of genuine international students would have a substantial and negative impact on towns and cities across the UK, on businesses, jobs, and on our world-class universities.

“Governments overseas are becoming increasingly aware of the value that international students bring in both the short and long term. This is why the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, China and others are implementing strategies and targets to increase the number of international students going to their universities.”

Despite support for universities from the then foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, May stood firm. Moreover, she hinted that universities would be given the responsibility of ensuring students left the country once they completed their studies.

She said in her 2015 conference speech that “too many” overseas students “are not returning home as soon as their visas run out”.

And she added: “I don’t care what the university lobbyists say. The rules must be enforced. Students, yes; overstayers, no.”

Optimistic observers suggest that May might modify her position once in No 10, when she has overall responsibility for balancing immigration and economic policy.

Track record for dramatic changes

Despite her reputation for caution and moderation, in higher education policy May has something of a track record for dramatic changes in direction.

In 2004 she voted against the introduction of top-up fees by the Labour government of Tony Blair, but when the coalition came to power in 2010, May, by then in government as minister for women and equalities, voted to raise the cap to £9,000 (US$12,000) in exceptional circumstances from 2012.

Continuing the process of reshaping her cabinet, May shifted responsibility for universities from a reconfigured Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to the Department of Education under new secretary of state Justine Greening.

It is thought that responsibility for research will remain with what is to become the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The Higher Education and Research Bill, which embodies the White Paper proposals for an increased profile for private sector providers including easier access to degree-awarding powers, is due to have its second reading in the Commons on July 19.

This article was modified on July 14 in line with developing information.