A few hours later, as Mrs May stood outside Number 10 Downing Street, there came a different message from Europe, as Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission urged the new prime minister to get on with taking Britain out of the EU.
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MP for South Swindon, Robert Buckland, said: “I thought it was a very fitting send off”.
A statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed he had tendered his resignation as prime minister and the Queen was “graciously pleased” to accept. In the Commons, Conservative MPs rose as one to applaud Mr Cameron at the end of his 182nd PMQs session as prime minister, as did former Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Cameron said Britain “is much stronger” than it was when he first became Prime Minister in 2010 – highlighting his government’s efforts to improve the economy, as well as flagship policies such as the national living wage, reforms to the adoption system and the legalisation of gay marriage.
She travelled to Buckingham Palace to officially accept the Queen’s invitation to form a new government following the resignation of David Cameron, who bowed out of office 13 months into his re-election as prime minister. During the speech, he thanked his family and political advisers for their support over the years.
Along with overseeing European Union negotiations, May will need to unite a nation deeply divided over the referendum where 52% voted to leave and 48% to remain. “We will do everything we can to help anybody, whatever your background, to go as far as your talents will take you”, May said, in language more often used by left-of-center politicians, rather than by members of the center-right Conservative Party.
The last few weeks have been dramatic ones in British politics, with Brexit setting off a domino effect of politicians falling by the wayside – Cameron resigned, allies stabbed likely successor Boris Johnson “in the back”, and leadership contender Leadsom threw in the towel amid controversial motherhood comments.
Ms. May did hand several key posts to her fellow Remain campaigners, including Amber Rudd who became Home Secretary, the post Ms. May held for six years. She must negotiate the terms of the country’s withdrawal from the bloc in a way that minimizes the economic damage but lives up to the spirit of the vote, especially in limiting immigration, while at the same time seeking to maintain British influence on the global stage.
Johnson led the Brexit camp to victory, antagonising many European Union leaders in the process, but dismayed supporters by backing out of the race to succeed Cameron at the last minute. In David Cameron (the outgoing prime minister) I follow in the footsteps of a great modern Prime Minister.
Cameron gave a short speech as he left the Downing Street office for the last time.
New Prime Minister Theresa May pledged to forge a bold, new role for Britain outside the European Union and fight “burning injustice” in the country as she took office on Wednesday.
For more than six years, 59-year-old Prime Minister Theresa May served as Britain’s Home Secretary, a cabinet role similar to the US attorney general and Homeland Security chief combined.
A heavy workload already waiting for her in-tray after the Brexit vote.
“Brexit means Brexit and we will make a success of it”, May said earlier this week.
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He found time to congratulate Wimbledon victor Andy Murray and other British players there, and rebuffed rumors that he does not like Downing St.s resident cat, Larry I do!. The two Conservatives headed the leave campaign but then turned on one another in the leadership contest.
