London: Britain’s tough-talking interior minister Theresa May has avoided the Conservative party in-fighting that dominated the EU referendum campaign, making her a strong contender to replace leader David Cameron as premier.

Although a long-standing Euro-sceptic and hardliner on immigration, May declared herself officially in favour of Britain staying in the European Union — but kept a low profile during the divisive referendum campaign.

The 59-year-old trod a fine line between remaining loyal to Cameron and the ‘Remain’ campaign, while appeasing Tory core members who wanted to quit the EU and clamp down on immigration.

Bookmakers forecast May’s tactic of conciliation could see her replace Cameron following his resignation in the wake of last week’s seismic result.

Standing in her way is justice minister and key Leave campaigner Michael Gove after Brexit champion Boris Johnson, the charismatic former mayor of London, made a shock announcement Thursday saying he would not seek to replace Cameron.

According to The Sunday Times, many of the party’s MPs and ministers think only May can unite warring party factions.

But, the broadly pro-Conservative Daily Telegraph suggested Thursday, “not even Mrs May’s loyal allies suggest she ignites the fires of passion.”

May’s stern demeanour and wardrobe of austere suits have drawn comparisons to party heroine Margaret Thatcher.

Britain’s media have long salivated over her extensive footwear collection — not least since she wore leopard-print kitten heels at the Tory party conference in 2002.

Hopes of a more friendly campaign have already taken a hit after Johnson’s allies complained that Tory bigwigs were trying to convince MPs to vote for May, whose campaign strapline is “a country that works for everyone.”

After studying geography at Oxford University and working briefly in the Bank of England, May’s political career began when she was elected a councillor in London in 1986.

She became an MP in 1997 and the Conservative party’s first chairwoman in 2002, breaking a long male tradition. While in opposition, May held various shadow cabinet positions.

Cameron, the fourth party leader she has served under, promoted May to home secretary following his 2010 election victory, a role she kept after his re-election in 2015.

Over her six years in the role, May has built a reputation for taking a firm line on Islamic preachers and also came out in support of gay marriage.

May says she will “strive to make Britain a country that works for everyone — regardless of who they are and regardless of where they’re from.”

She has been married to banker Philip May since 1980, and the couple have no children. May lists her hobbies as walking and cooking.