We didn't refer to male PMs as 'Mr Whatever' so why does everyone keep calling May 'Mrs May'?

[bakedstrawberry]

I find it jarring.

Do they?

Never heard it

I noticed this and thought it was just me. Was Margaret referred to as Mrs Thatcher, I wonder?

We did refer to them as Mr Blair etc?

They do. Dave was called Mr Cameron lots.

But agree it’s more frequent, noticeable and jarring with May.

Margaret was always Mrs Thatcher. Until she went to the Lords.

Yep, David Cameron was never Mr Cameron.

Maybe they want to make her sound twee.

I think it’s only more noticable because she is currently being held as a lone wolf out on a limb.... the press are driving home the point of her as an isolated individual, hence more referral about “her” rather than “the government”.

@M4J4

Of course they did!

Just googling shows demonstrated press clippings.

I can recall former male PMs being called Mr Whoever. Maybe it's partly because her surname is short so it gets added? Also think just calling someone by their surname only a bit rude irrespective of female/male.

@starabara those articles are a month old, he's not PM anymore

It’s makes sentences easier, prevents confusion with the month/word meaning might: eg

May deal to receive assent

PM May face legal challenge.

I know what you mean OP

I noticed as soon as she became PM

I don't recall a male PM being referred to as "Mr Grace" quite so often. I'm not sure if it was that they were more likely to be called FirstName+Surname or PM Surname or just Surname?

can't rely on my memory at all

All manner of male political types are referred to as Mr xxxx. Whatever else would they be called? What would you like her to be referred to as?? FFS...

I remember the PMs being called either FIRSTSURNAME or just SURNAME

TBF may is a word with a few meanings, so it possibly needs Mrs/Theresa sticking in front of it in some sentences to make it the meaning clear.

Cameron/Thatcher/Blair are all obviously the PM names when you read the m.

Just surname, for either sex, would sound rude and aggressive. Pretty sure I've never heard that...

On LBC radio one presenter calls her MS May as in she is like silly not conforming young woman going with MS not Miss. she is MRS anyway.

On a news report it would begin " the prime minister Tony Blair has ...". Then later in the report it would continue "Mr Blair said the waiting times would be measured by...". I'm sure it's the same now.

On LBC radio one presenter calls her MS May as in she is like silly not conforming young woman going with MS not Miss. she is MRS anyway

Wowser. I’m a 47 year old barrister who prefers to not be classified by her marital status. Or silly not conforming woman as you put it...

I'm sure David Cameron was called Mr Cameron lots by the media.

It's her preferred form of address, as with Mrs Thatcher. See her apology after addressing Emily Thornberry by her husband's surname and courtesy title, which Thornberry has not ever used.

And male PMs were indeed Mr Cameron, Mr Blair etc

The correct form is (Honorific) + (Surname) comma The Prime Minster.

The incorrect form is Prime Minister (Surname) because that implies there are lot of them.

There is only ever one Prime Minister, and you do not keep the title.

I remember the PMs being called either FIRSTSURNAME or just SURNAME

That doesnt mean it doesnt happen. It means you don't remember it.

Maybe you are hyper aware as the PM is currently a woman. Just every PM has been referred to, regularly, as 'Mr blah'.