Theresa May profile

The UK’s second female leader took charge of the country at one of the most turbulent times in its recent history.

Theresa May is no political novice – but even her formative time as UK Interior Minister could not have prepared her for the roller-coaster year since the Brexit vote.

May’s first year as UK prime minister has been anything but plain sailing.

The 60-year-old vicar’s daughter campaigned quietly for Britain to remain in the EU ahead of last year’s referendum on membership of the bloc.

This guaranteed her a low profile during the divisive referendum campaign but has her in an awkward position as the post-Leave vote prime minister charged with steering the ship into uncharted waters.

In favour of a so-called “hard Brexit” or a deal with little compromise, May insists there will be no second referendum.

Official talks are due to begin after the election.

May’s leadership has been dealt a strong blow by the string of terrorist attacks that have struck the UK.

As interior minister, she oversaw a reduction in police numbers – a policy decision, that commentators say, is coming back to haunt her now.

Numbers fell by more than 18,000 between September 2010 and September 2016.

Going to the country was a gamble for the politically-untested May – but with a healthy majority at the time and the opposition Labour Party in disarray, it seemed like a safe one.

But three terrorist attacks in three months, questions over alleged intelligence failings and a narrowing majority have left a growing question mark over the vote.