Theresa May becomes Britain’s new prime minister.
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Then, after a rousing speech defending his government’s legacy, he and his family left his home at 10 Downing Street for the last time and made the short drive to Buckingham Palace.
Speaking live on television in Downing Street, May, also the new leader of the Conservative Party, said that her cabinet will put ordinary citizens and their interests before those of the wealthy. If he were granted one wish, he said, it would be the “continued success of this great country that I love so very much”. “It is easy to say but hard to do”, the 49-year-old said before getting into waiting cars to be driven to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II.
A statement said Queen Elizabeth II has “graciously accepted” David Cameron’s resignation as Prime Minister and first Lord of the Treasury, BBC reported.
She met with the sovereign after David Cameron officially tendered his resignation following an emotional final farewell on the steps on Number 10.
Mrs May’s elevation to lead the country, at the age of 59, completes a whirlwind rise which was triggered by the unexpected European Union referendum result on 23 June – which forced Mr Cameron to resign.
In the Commons, Conservative MPs rose as one to applaud Mr Cameron at the end of his 182nd PMQs session as prime minister, as did former Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
British Home Secretary Theresa May waves as she arrives July 12 to attend the last Cabinet meeting hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron.
The contest began when Mr Cameron, who has been prime minister since 2010, announced he would step down after losing the European Union referendum in June.
After he offers his own resignation, Cameron will recommend that the Queen as Britain’s Head of State invites Theresa May to take charge of the new government.
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. He had campaigned to remain in the EU.
Reacting to Mrs May taking office, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “I welcome Theresa May’s acknowledgement that, after six years of Tory government in which she was a senior minister, the economy is not working for working people”.
Mr. Cameron made his final appearance in Parliament as prime minister earlier in the day, when he took questions from members of Parliament on the floor of the House of Commons.
Although she favoured Britain remaining in Europe, May has repeatedly declared that “Brexit means Brexit” and that there can be no attempt to reverse the referendum outcome.
“It has been the greatest honor 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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Cameron had called the referendum and campaigned to stay in the European Union in a bid to try to heal divisions in the Conservative ranks.
