“David Cameron has led a one-nation government, and it is in that spirit that I also plan to lead”, she said.
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“Second, we are going to unite our country and, third, we need a strong, new positive vision for the future of our country, a vision of a country that works not for the privileged few, but that works for every one of us”.
Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a speech after arriving at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain on July 13, 2016.
Before Mrs May’s visit to Buckingham Palace, the Queen had accepted Mr Cameron’s resignation as prime minister.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve our country as prime minister over these last six years”, he said.
May will be Britain’s second female Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher, who held office from 1979 to 1990.
May, who backed remaining in the European Union, will also be expected to reward prominent campaigners for a “leave” vote with key jobs.
Euroskeptic former ministers David Davis and Liam Fox were appointed respectively as Brexit negotiator and minister for worldwide trade, two new posts reflecting changed priorities after the referendum. Johnson led the campaign to drop out of the EU. “I will miss the barbs of the opposition”, Cameron said.
Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May has named Former Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Cameron stepped down after Britons rejected his entreaties to stay in the European Union, sending shock waves across the 28-nation bloc.
In a carefully orchestrated political ballet, Cameron made his final appearance as prime minister in Parliament, turning the usually raucous prime minister’s questions session into a time for praise, thanks, gentle ribbing, cheers – and a sprinkle of criticism.
The last few weeks have been dramatic ones in British politics, with Brexit setting off a domino effect of politicians falling by the wayside – Cameron resigned, allies stabbed likely successor Boris Johnson “in the back”, and leadership contender Leadsom threw in the towel amid controversial motherhood comments.
New finance minister Philip Hammond who took over from George Osborne, a stalwart of Cameron’s government who fell by the wayside in the transition, confirmed there would be “no emergency budget”.
May also said she would lead a government that would act for everyone: “I know you are working around the clock, I know you are doing your best and I know that sometimes life can be a struggle”.
At the time he said the country needed “fresh leadership”.
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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Mrs May will continue to fill out her new cabinet later on Thursday, with the new secretaries of state for health, education, and work and pensions among those expected to be appointed.
