May, who has been interior minister for six years and is seen by her supporters as a safe pair of hands to steer Britain through the disruptive process of leaving the European Union, will become Britain’s second woman prime minister, after Margaret Thatcher.
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She also pledged to work to hold the United Kingdom together in the face of threats by Scotland’s secessionist government to hold a second referendum on independence following the European Union vote.
“Following the referendum, we face a time of great national change”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready for “constructive dialogue” with Britain’s new premier, while White House spokesman Josh Earnest said USA officials who had worked with May “found her to be quite effective”. She also promised to preside over an economy that benefits everyone. Many of those people, fed up with remote politicians and bureaucrats, voted to leave the EU.
“When it comes to opportunity, we won’t entrench the advantages of the fortunate few, we will do everything we can to help anybody, whatever your background, to go as far as your talents will take you”.
The Daily Telegraph said in an editorial that Cameron “leaves behind a stronger country, a thriving economy and more chances to get on in life”.
Davis served as a Foreign Office minister in the government of former Prime Minister John Major from 1994 to 1997, where he was responsible for government negotiations over Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation enlargement.
She sprung a major surprise by making Boris Johnson her Foreign Secretary – an astonishing comeback by the man who was the front-runner to succeed David Cameron before being pushed out of the Tory leadership race by his fellow Leave campaigner Michael Gove.
In her first appointment after taking office, May named former foreign secretary Philip Hammond as Britain’s finance minister.
Speaking to the world’s press outside Number 10, she said the decisions of her administration would be driven not by the interests of “the privileged few” but those voters struggling with the pressures of modern life. “As we leave the European Union we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world”, she said, flanked by her banker husband, Philip.
May said she would follow in David Cameron’s footsteps as a “one nation” prime minister, but her emphasis on social injustice suggested a shift of tone.
In her maiden speech as PM standing on the steps of Downing Street she spoke about giving control back to those who were “just managing” and those who were “working around the clock”.
May arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly after Cameron left to be confirmed as the new leader.
Mrs May arrived at the Palace by ministerial auto with husband Philip, having set off from the House of Commons only after receiving the signal that predecessor David Cameron’s resignation as PM had been accepted by the Queen and that he had advised the head of state to appoint the former Home Secretary in his place.
The new leader, Britain’s home secretary – in charge of immigration and law and order – for the past six years, has the tough task of calming the country, and the financial markets, after upheaval following the result of the June 23 referendum.
Lesser-known than Johnson but at least as important to Britain’s future is David Davis, the cumbersomely titled Secretary of state for exiting the European Union.
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Hollande also pressed May not to delay the divorce discussions, which can only begin once Britain has triggered the bloc’s Article 50, the formal process for withdrawing from the EU.
