Theresa May became Britain’s second woman prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, vowing to forge “a bold new positive role” for the United Kingdom in the world post-Brexit. One of May’s top challenges will be leading the country’s Brexit negotiations with the European Union.
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Despite the suddenness of Cameron’s exit – less than three weeks after the June 23 referendum on Britain’s membership in the European Union – he appeared relaxed and confident as he absorbed both praise and carping from opposition lawmakers.
Prominent Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson was surprisingly appointed as Foreign Secretary.
She also cleared out rivals, firing stalwarts of David Cameron’s outgoing government including Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and – most significantly – Justice Secretary Michael Gove, her onetime competitor for the job of Conservative leader.
“The ECHR can bind the hands of parliament, adds nothing to our prosperity, makes us less secure by preventing the deportation of risky foreign nationals and does nothing to change the attitudes of Russia’s when it comes to human rights”, May said in April.
Mrs. May followed him to the Palace to be formally appointed his successor by “kissing hands” with the head of state, and was expected to make her first speech as prime minister outside the famous black door in Downing Street outlining her priorities for the new administration.
May, the second female British prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, has repeatedly said that “Brexit means Brexit”.
Davis has previously said that Britain should take a “brisk but measured” approach to exit talks with the EU. “I am not at all anxious about Boris Johnson, but … during the campaign he lied a lot to the British people and now it is he who has his back against the wall”, foreign minister Ayrault said. He has been given the job by new Prime Minister Theresa May, who backed the losing “remain” side ahead of the referendum. The political vacuum expanded this week when David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister.
He added: “We’ve now got the key players who will be involved in this decision-making process in place, and when the prime minister has finished making her appointments later today I am sure that we will sit down and start to talk about Britain’s negotiating strategy and how we are going to take it forward”.
The meeting in Edinburgh is expected to focus on Brexit negotiations and Scotland’s place in the European Union after 62% of voters in Scotland backed a remain vote in last month’s referendum.
It said: “The Right Honourable David Cameron MP had an audience of the Queen this evening and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept”.
Wednesday’s newspapers, however, offered mixed judgments of Cameron, a politician toppled by his decision to call a referendum on European Union membership – which he then lost.
“We will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us”, she added.
But European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker insisted the issue must be addressed “soon”, a sentiment echoed by French President Francois Hollande in his call with May.
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“I was the future once”, Cameron quipped as he left office.
