Theresa May could still have a future – as a human sponge | Andrew Rawnsley

She very nearly quit as prime minister on election night. She may end up wishing she hadWilliam Petty, the 2nd Earl of Shelburne, is one of the less well-remembered people to have been a tenant of Number 10. I mention him because, as Tory MPs argue about how long they should give Theresa May, the brief, but illuminating lifespan of that 18th-century prime minister is a possible guide to her future.Shelburne was propelled into office after Britain suffered the enormous humiliation of losing the A