Theresa May's first six months in charge: Shropshire and Mid Wales MPs give their verdict on the new boss

In her first six months at No 10, Theresa May has provided a much-needed figurehead for a divided nation, looking to the future with confidence, faith, and optimism.

It's a bit like that famous scene with Kate Winslet in Titanic. Standing at the bow and looking towards the horizon, Kate didn't spot any icebergs.

In contrast, Mrs May knows that freezers in Europe's capitals are preparing some hefty icebergs to lay in her path.

Scroll down to see what Shropshire and Mid Wales MPs think of Mrs May's tenure so far

Even the Farronite wing of die-hard Remainers back home are stocking up on ice cubes to throw in the water.

David Cameron left her a legacy unique in British history. Mrs May moved in to Downing Street last summer facing a challenge for which absolutely no contingency plans had been made. There cannot have been a Prime Minister who has been left with such an unusual and tricky hangover-cum-headache by her predecessor.

She does have some advantages. One of them is an enduring and palpable sense of relief among the ranks of many Conservative MPs that she is not Boris Johnson. Imagine what things would be like now if Boris was Prime Minister. Theresa May was the only Tory leadership candidate capable of uniting the party.

Then there is the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn. In a delicious irony, a serial rebel during all his long career as an MP is now leading a Parliamentary party in which the majority of MPs are themselves rebels – against his leadership. Labour MPs' calls for clarity on EU negotiations from the PM are undermined by the fact that they are not themselves clear on their own party's position.

In an era of you-couldn't-make-it-up politics, Mrs May is a throwback to when Prime Ministers could have an aura of unshowy competence, without it being counted as a failure to be media-savvy.

She isn't a showman, let alone a showgirl, but a traditional, sensible, straightforward politician. Will this vicar's daughter get on with the larger-than-life billionaire former playboy Donald Trump?

Maybe, as a Hollywood actor got on with a grocer's daughter just fine.

One of Mrs May's great achievements in her first half year is that she has not done much and that she has not said much, which is tough for any politician. Here is what she said about Brexit when she took office in the summer: "What is important is that we get the right deal." Here is what she declared on the matter in an interview this month: "We will be working to get the best possible deal." It is a statement of the obvious, the frame for a canvas in which the painting has yet to be created.

She has allegedly given birth to a new study called Mayology. This is the study of trying to discern the meaning of her words, or even if there is any meaning, and if there is meaning what that meaning actually means.

To say that what happens next is the tricky bit is an understatement. In the next few weeks Britain will begin in earnest the two-year process of extracting itself from the European Union.

Which brings us to Wallonia. Where? It's a region of Belgium which for days held up a trade deal between the EU and Canada seven years in the making. In effect, the regional parliament in Wallonia had a veto.

What the views of the good folk of Wallonia are on Brexit, we don't know, but their example can give us a new word – walloniaed or, for short, wallied.

It will mean being brought to a crunching impasse by a minority interest.

If in advance of the referendum it took David Cameron months of traipsing backwards and forwards across Europe to forge an underwhelming figleaf deal, how long could it take Mrs May to agree something as intricate as Brexit when there are 27 nations, all with their own vetoes and with some with leaders who have already shown a taste for grandstanding and wallying the UK every step of the way?

No wonder she is striving to forge a premiership which is not defined by Brexit. She has brought us the concept of jam, the just-about-managing ordinary people, and has declared a vision of a more sharing, caring, Britain.

But, whether she likes it or not, the Brexit process is going to test her mettle and show us what she is really made of when the going gets tough, as it will do.

Maggie dealt with difficulties by wielding her handbag. More Theresa May's style will be to show them who is wearing the trousers. That's leather trousers, at £1,000 a go. The jury's still out. Icebergs ahead!

Shropshire and mid Wales MPs' verdicts:

Lucy Allan, Telford

(Con)

"Theresa May took over as Prime Minister at a hugely challenging time in our nation's history."

"After a divisive Brexit campaign she has brought together MP's from both sides of the referendum debate to form a strong, cohesive government that is working well.

"Despite the challenges, Theresa May has clearly set out her stall in terms of what she intends to achieve. By setting a date for triggering article 50 she has given some certainty in what are uncertain times.

"Whilst Brexit could dominate her premiership, Theresa May has made very clear what she is about. She is determined to tackle health and educational inequality, with a focus on mental health. She wants to improve opportunities for those that are just about managing and to use government as a force for good in people's lives.

"Theresa has an inclusive approach that is blind to background and I am confident that this will continue to serve the country well for the future."

Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire

(Con)

"Theresa May has now served as Prime Minister for six months, having taken over at a time of great confusion and division in our country.

"Her inherent calmness, reluctance to make statements before careful consideration and clarity has helped settle the national nervousness.

"As someone who voted Leave with much uncertainty, her refusal to be rushed over starting the process of leaving the EU is reassuring. Despite the inpatience of many, she has her own timetable and will stick to it. I like that, and so do the British people.

"Inevitably the Prime Minister will be judged by history by how successfully she manages the process of leaving the EU.

"However she would like to be remembered as creating a fairer society. Theresa May is philosophically driven by a belief in helping people who need help and encouraging people to help themselves. In difficult circumstances she has set out her stall, and is determined to deliver.

"Over the next two years, the Prime Minister will be tested as no Prime Minister has been tested since Mrs Thatcher. She has made a good steady start, but we all know the highest hurdles are yet to come.

"I am confident she is much the best person to help our country to clear them."

Philip Dunne, Ludlow

(Con)

"Theresa May is doing an excellent job as our Prime Minister. The vote for Brexit was a momentous decision, which could have dealt our economy a severe immediate blow without strong decisive leadership. Six months on, the PM's confident leadership has delivered continued economic growth, and has refocussed the government on delivering a country that works for everyone.

"Latest opinion polls show the public back her vision, and this support will be important as we enter negotiations in the next six months to leave the European Union."

Daniel Kawczynski, Shrewsbury & Atcham

(Con)

"The Prime Minister has done extremely well. She has brought the party together behind her. Obviously the focus of her work so far has been on Brexit and she's done well in that respect.

"She has absolutely been accepted by the British electorate. The polls have shown this, with her Government in a strong, consistent lead. In addition, I understand that foreign leaders are incredibly impressed how quickly she has picked up foreign affairs briefs so quickly.

"I think, for those that wish for the best possible outcome for Britain as we leave the EU, her strategy over Brexit makes sense. She clearly feels it is vital that we get our ducks in a row and she's keeping her cards close to her chest. I think this is entirely the right thing to do. Bear in mind that she had very little time to prepare for this. David Cameron had five years in opposition before he became Prime Minister, she had only weeks. I think she's picked up the ball and run with it.

"Brexit will dominate the first term of her premiership and I think this will be an opportunity for biggest economic and exporting expansion for this country in 100 years. And also she has a unique opportunity to settle the British/EU scenario that has eluded her predecessors. It will be important to maintain our cooperation with our European partners, particularly on issues such as defence and security. In addition to Brexit, I was pleased to her plans to increase support for those that suffer from mental illness and also the Government's upcoming industrial strategy."

Owen Paterson, North Shropshire

(Con)

"I have known Theresa since 1997 when we joined Parliament together. She has been completely consistent in the way she has operated in the past 20 years.

"She is cautious, careful and considered and is not the least bit driven by what is on the 6pm news."

"I congratulate Theresa for her clear programme over Brexit. She has been astute in her interpretation of the Brexit vote. A lot of people across Britain have felt left behind and left out of the 'bubble' of London and the south East and they feel that they are not appreciated. The Prime Minister has realised this."

Mark Pritchard, Wrekin

(Con)

"I think the Prime Minister is doing an excellent job balancing important domestic issues whilst negotiating the best deal in Europe following the Brexit vote.

She is going to emerge as a key leader globally when it comes to tackling existing, emerging and current national, EU and global security threats.

"Her experience in a wide range of areas will be vital in trying to bring a national and foreign policy balance to the new Trump administration.

"Domestically, she is right to talk about a shared society, where everyone can maximise their gifts, skills and potential, irrespective of their social background.

"I will be working closely with Government ministers to ensure that Shropshire is very much in the forefront of their minds.

"Especially continuing to secure local defence jobs, front line health services, and working with the government to ensure the very best local settlement for Shropshire's two councils."