Theresa May last night announced her team to negotiate Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union and promised to build a more socially just country as she became Britain’s new prime minister.
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In a major surprise, May named Johnson, a leading eurosceptic who had until recently been seen as her main rival for the prime minister’s job, to take over as foreign secretary.
European Parliament chief Martin Schulz today took aim at British Prime Minister Theresa May’s new cabinet, saying it continued a “dangerously vicious cycle” that will hurt Britain and Europe.
This will not only give her actions on Brexit legitimacy in the eyes of Leave supporters, but also ensures she has on side a man who emphasised his pro-globalisation and pro-immigration stance, despite wanting out.
“Clearly we now have a massive opportunity to play a new part in Europe to make a great success of our new relationship with Europe and the World”.
Eurosceptic former ministers David Davis and Liam Fox were appointed respectively as Brexit negotiator and global trade minister, two new posts reflecting changed priorities after the referendum. Another, Liam Fox, was named to head a new worldwide trade department.
However, Davis has been much more forthcoming on his views for a Brexit.
His appointment will set the tone for talks with fellow European states, many of whom have been keen for Britain to move swiftly to begin formal talks, and have talked tough on the prospects of giving away access to the EU single market.
“After a vote like the referendum result on June 23, it’s inevitable that there is going to be a certain amount of plaster coming off the ceilings in the chancelleries of Europe”, Johnson said.
Nigel Farage, the former leader of the anti-European UK Independence Party (UKIP), said the choice of Fox and Davis was “inspired”. Mr Gove argued that Mr Johnson was not up to the job.
Despite the suddenness of Cameron’s exit – less than three weeks after the June 23rd referendum on Britain’s membership in the European Union – he appeared relaxed and confident as he absorbed both praise and carping from opposition lawmakers.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Mr Johnson said he was “very humbled” and “very proud” at the appointment.
The French foreign minister was also not so pleased with Johnson, even if he wasn’t as harsh as his German counterpart.
Veteran Conservative lawmaker Ken Clarke, who served as a minister under Thatcher, was caught on a live microphone in a TV studio this month describing May as “a bloody hard woman”.
“It has shaken confidence and caused many businesses to pause investment decisions that they were making”, said Hammond, adding the government now needed to send signals of reassurance about the future as quickly and as powerful as it can. “The negotiating strategy has to be properly designed, with serious consultation”, Mr Davis said.
May kept Michael Fallon as defence minister, while Amber Rudd was promoted to May’s old interior minister job at the Home Office.
In a bid to reassure markets, May appointed a safe pair of hands as finance minister. The new Prime Minister chose Mr Philip Hammond, who had been Foreign Secretary, as chancellor of the Exchequer, replacing Mr George Osborne, a close Cameron ally.
David Davis called for a “brisk but measured” approach to Brexit and the triggering of Article 50 to leave the European Union before or in early 2017, repeating comments made before he was appointed to the Cabinet.
“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”, he said outside 10 Downing St, accompanied by his wife Samantha and his children – 12 year old Nancy, 10 year old Elwen and 5 year old Florence.
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“Based on the public comments we’ve seen from the incoming prime minister, she intends to pursue a course that’s consistent with the prescription that President Obama has offered”, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
