Ex-PM Theresa May to appear at literature festival

Former Prime Minister Theresa May has been announced as a headline act at Ilkley Literature Festival.

Baroness May, who served as prime minister between 2016 and 2019, will appear to talk about her memoir The Abuse of Power, which was published last year.

Her book covers her political career, which included a six-year stint as home secretary.

The former Conservative leader stood down at the last general election and was elevated to the House of Lords as Baroness May of Maidenhead.

Erica Morris, director of Ilkley Literature Festival, said: "We're so pleased to have former Prime Minister Theresa May join our already stellar line-up for ILF24.

"This year's festival features a range of voices from across the political spectrum."

She said that 2024 had been the "ultimate election year" with almost half the world's population taking to the polls.

"Reflecting this, we have packed our programme with journalists, politicians and experts discussing the state of politics and democracy here in the UK, across the pond and around the world."

Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas, author Katie Atkinson and comedian Julian Clary are among some of the other big names confirmed for this year's Ilkley Literature Festival.

The 2024 Ilkley Literature Festival will run between 4 and 20 October.

Theresa May will appear on 12 October at King's Hall in Ilkley at 12:00 BST and tickets cost between £14.50 and £28.

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