Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May arrived at Downing Street on Wednesday after gaining consent from Queen Elizabeth II.
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Britain’s new prime minister Theresa May has vowed to lead a “one nation” government that works for all not just the “privileged few”.
Cameron then headed to Buckingham Palace to formally give his resignation as prime minister to Queen Elizabeth II.
“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve our country as prime minister over these last six years, and to serve as leader of my party for nearly 11 years”, Cameron, 49, said outside 10 Downing Street, accompanied by his wife Samantha and three children.
She also paid tribute to her predecessor, David Cameron, saying he had been a “great, modern prime minister”.
May would provide “strong and stable leadership” and wished her well in her negotiations with the European Union (EU).
Cameron stepped down after Britons rejected his entreaties and voted in a June 23 referendum to quit the European Union, weakening the 28-nation bloc and creating huge economic uncertainty, including likely damage to trade and investment.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after being appointed by the Queen, she said it would be her mission to “build a better Britain”.
May also made a reference to the Conservative party’s complete name, which is the Conservative and Unionist Party, saying the word “unionist” was very important to her as it highlights the “precious, precious bond” between all parts of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
David Cameron will take to the Despatch Box in the House of Commons for his last session of questions as PM in the House of Commons before the historic shift of power takes place.
Removal vans were seen on Tuesday as Mr Cameron, wife Samantha and children Nancy, Arthur and Florence, packed up at their home since 2010 and prepared to return to a life outside the gates to Downing Street.
May wasted no time getting to work, naming six Cabinet members shortly after taking the nation’s helm.
May took over from David Cameron less than three weeks after Britain voted to leave the EU. 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.
Her continental peers have said they expect her to move quickly to implement the referendum result.
Germany’s Angela Merkel, France’s Francois Hollande and Italy’s Matteo Renzi announced Wednesday that they will hold a summit in August on the matter.
Now that she is prime minister, May will learn the details of Britain’s nuclear deterrent and has started to receive congratulatory phone calls from fellow world leaders. Johnson led the campaign to drop out of the EU.
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Though she was in the Remain camp in the referendum, like Mr Cameron, Mrs May has said there can be no going back on Brexit.
