Share

Britain’s new PM May gives Johnson big job

New British Prime Minister Theresa May (R) and her husband Philip John (2R) walk into 10 Downing Street in London, on July 13, 2016 after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government.

Advertisement

Last night, she spoke to European leaders including Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

During their conversation Mr Kenny congratulated Ms May and spoke of the strong relationship between Ireland and the UK.

She promised a “bold new positive role” for Britain overseas and less “burning injustice” at home, drawing lessons from last month’s bitter referendum and making a pitch for the centre-ground of politics.

As Home Secretary for the past six years, she has been in charge of immigration, passports, crime policy and counter-terrorism, and is known for taking a hard line.

A former Europe minister in the 1990s, Davis will aid May in deciding when to start the formal two-year process of withdrawal and then on trying to strike favourable deals over the separation and Britain’s future relationship with the EU.

Another hardline critic of the EU, Liam Fox, becomes minister for global trade, reflecting the need to forge new alliances if Britain leaves the EU single market.

Johnson had been at the forefront of the so-called Leave campaign, but after its triumph abruptly pulled out of the contest to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron, who left office earlier Wednesday.

Johnson said he was “very humbled, very proud to be offered this chance”.

Davis worked in government in Britain’s foreign office from 1994 to 1997, with responsibility for negotiations with Europe.

Veteran Conservative euroskeptic David Davis has been appointed to lead Britain’s exit talks with the European Union.

Liz Truss, the previous environment secretary, replaced Gove as justice secretary and Justine Greening, who had been the secretary for worldwide development, was named the new education secretary.

“There is a massive difference between leaving the European Union and our relations with Europe, which if anything I think are going to be intensified and built up at an intergovernmental level”, he said.

While the 59-year-old was officially in favour of Britain voting to Remain in the European Union, she was a lukewarm supporter at best.

Despite being a part of a Tory government that has disadvantaged working class people, May said her government “will be driven not be the interests of the privileged few, but by yours”.

But the European Union officials also emphasised that Britain and Brussels will have to move soon to address the consequences of the country’s vote to leave the bloc. “The lead and the tone will be set by the prime minister”.

Russian President Putin also “reaffirmed his commitment to pursue constructive dialogue and work together with the British Prime Minister on pressing issues of the bilateral relationship and the worldwide agenda”, said a Kremlin statement. “Britain is open for business”.

“The UK won’t be able to access the single market without applying the rules of freedom of movement”, French President Francois Hollande said.

Later in the day Thursday, Hammond is slated to meet with Bank of England governor Mark Carney to discuss the British economy moving forward.

Advertisement

Hammond told ITV that while there is no plan for an emergency budget, “the markets do need signals of reassurance, they need to know we will do whatever is necessary to keep the economy on track”.

Mice watch out: Larry the cat to stay at 10 Downing Street