Speculation has increased that May could publicly join the call to leave the EU, following the release of a poll which found that she was the most popular choice to front the 'Out' campaign among Euroskeptics.
Please dont let #TheresaMay lead the #Brexit she fails at every thing she does! https://t.co/JNpptXZQrE
— puppy D (@bigdaverees2) November 1, 2015
May, who has struck a much harder anti-EU tone in recent times, refused to rule out fronting the 'Out' campaign when asked in an interview with the BBC.
"There are some people who say you should be in at all costs, there are people who say you should be out at all costs.
"Actually I say let's do this renegotiation. Let's see what reform we can bring about as a result of that renegotiation and then put it to the British people."
When pressed further, Ms May refused to be drawn into discussing her personal views.
"The decision isn't going to be my decision individually or the prime minister's decision individually. It will be for the British public and that's the important thing."
UKIP leader and fierce Euroskeptic Nigel Farage said he would be "delighted" if Ms May decided to join the 'Out' campaign.
Conservative Cracks Showing
May's failure to endorse EU membership comes amid fears that the ruling Conservative party will be torn apart on the matter, with large divides existing within the party.
Though I hope Theresa May campaigns to leave EU, tone seemed to change today compared to when she delivered that Conference speech. #Marr
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) November 1, 2015
Despite being previously guarded himself, Prime Minister David Cameron last week showed his hand and poured cold water on the idea of leaving the EU, saying that he believed it would be a mistake to follow the Norwegian model of being a non-EU member while trying to gain access to the single market.
The Home Secretary's comments and recent rhetoric also highlight the very difficult situation faces by Cameron and Osborne, who are juggling internal Euroskepticism, the demand for change in the EU and opposition from European leaders to try and keep Britain inside a reformed bloc.
Many commentators suggested that Cameron's intervention last week was due to the recent spike in anti-EU sentiment, with the lukewarm response to the EU from popular political figures such as May and London Mayor Boris Johnson only adding to the Euroskepticism.
Many have noted that both May and Johnson's Euroskepticism is all part of their play for the Conservative party leadership, with fears Cameron may be forced to resign if negotiations are unsuccessful.
As the EU debate heat up, pressure is increasing on David Cameron to elicit some major concessions from Brussels, while leading figures seem to be happy to keep the Euroskeptic flame burning.
