Share

Jamaica’s political leaders congratulate new British PM

British Prime Minister Theresa May asked European leaders for “time” to prepare for negotiations on Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU), according to a Downing Street spokesperson on Thursday.

Advertisement

Her day started at Buckingham Palace with an audience with Queen Elizabeth, who accepted David Cameron’s resignation and invited her to form a new government.

Staff clap as new Prime Minister Theresa May walks into 10 Downing Street in London. She also promised to preside over an economy that benefits everyone.

She said: “We will rise to the challenge”.

Davis will be responsible for negotiating Britain’s withdrawal from the bloc with European leaders while former defense secretary Liam Fox was given a newly-created worldwide trade ministry.

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. Not only do the appointments appear to reflect a desire to unite her party around the outcome of the June 23 vote, they may also be calculated to head off any suggestion from right-wingers that she might not follow the will of the voters.

Flanked by his wife, Samantha, and children Nancy, Elwen and Florence, he spoke of his pride at reducing the deficit, introducing same-sex marriage, increasing global aid spending and cutting waiting times for NHS treatment.

Philip Hammond, the former Foreign Secretary, has been made the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Amber Rudd is Home Secretary, and Eurosceptic David Davis has been made the new Brexit secretary. Gove argued that Johnson was not up to the job.

“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.

“At this incredibly important time that will determine Britain’s economic and cultural relations with Europe, it is extraordinary that the new Prime Minister has chosen someone whose career is built on making jokes”. “And we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few but for every one of us”.

Amber Rudd, who backed the campaign to stay in the European Union, became the new Home Secretary and will now lead reform of Britain’s immigration system in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Noting the “enormity of the assignment”, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, said in a letter to May that her appointment as leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister “is a testament to the high level of competence and commitment she has displayed throughout her years of service to the United Kingdom”.

“Someone said, ‘Hey, Cameron”.

Advertisement

Just over an hour after Mrs May’s Downing Street speech, Mr Hammond and then Mr Johnson entered No 10, the former London mayor ignoring reporters’ questions. One prime minister leaves, another arrives.

Cameron heads out, May comes in: Drama in British politics