Theresa May becomes new British PM; names cabinet
Thu Jul 14, 2016 08:08:am World
2.2K By Buchi Obichie
Former British Home Secretary, Theresa May, took over as Britain's new Prime Minister on Wednesday after former PM David Cameron handed in his resignation to the Queen.
May visited Buckingham Palace after Cameron resigned, to accept her new position.
David Cameron stepped down following the seismic vote to leave the European Union on June 23.
Theresa May has now been charged with pulling the country out of the EU.
Upon her appointment, the new PM moved swiftly to name her cabinet; and caused surprise by immediately appointing leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson as Foreign Minister.
May, who had supported Britain's continued EU membership, moved quickly to heal divisions sparked by the referendum by appointing leading "Leave" campaigner Johnson to a senior cabinet post.
The decision to name Johnson, the eccentric former mayor of London, to the high-profile post of Foreign Secretary is likely to cause controversy.
Johnson led the Brexit camp to victory, antagonising many EU leaders in the process, but dismayed many of his supporters by pulling out of the race to succeed Cameron at the last minute.
Theresa May also named the former Foreign Secretary, Phillip Hammond, as her new Finance Minister, tasked with the job of calming fears over the economic fall-out of Britain exiting the EU single market.
She named former Europe minister, David Davis, another "Leave" campaigner, as the minister charged with implementing Britain's exit.
In other cabinet appointments announced Wednesday, Michael Fallon will stay on as Defence Minister, while former Energy Minister, Amber Rudd, replaces May at the interior.
Though EU leaders are pressing for a swift British departure, May has refused to be rushed into activating Article 50, which would officially begin the process of Britain's exit from the EU.
May, who is just the second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, has stressed that she will honour the popular vote, saying repeatedly that "Brexit means Brexit".
After formally being invited to form a Government in a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, May arrived at 10 Downing Street, with a promise to tackle "burning injustice".
"Following the referendum we face a time of great national change. And I know because we're Great Britain that we will rise to the challenge," she told reporters, flanked by her husband, Philip.
"As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world. And we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few but for everyone of us."
May visited Buckingham Palace after Cameron resigned, to accept her new position.
David Cameron stepped down following the seismic vote to leave the European Union on June 23.
Theresa May has now been charged with pulling the country out of the EU.
Upon her appointment, the new PM moved swiftly to name her cabinet; and caused surprise by immediately appointing leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson as Foreign Minister.
May, who had supported Britain's continued EU membership, moved quickly to heal divisions sparked by the referendum by appointing leading "Leave" campaigner Johnson to a senior cabinet post.
The decision to name Johnson, the eccentric former mayor of London, to the high-profile post of Foreign Secretary is likely to cause controversy.
Johnson led the Brexit camp to victory, antagonising many EU leaders in the process, but dismayed many of his supporters by pulling out of the race to succeed Cameron at the last minute.
Theresa May also named the former Foreign Secretary, Phillip Hammond, as her new Finance Minister, tasked with the job of calming fears over the economic fall-out of Britain exiting the EU single market.
She named former Europe minister, David Davis, another "Leave" campaigner, as the minister charged with implementing Britain's exit.
In other cabinet appointments announced Wednesday, Michael Fallon will stay on as Defence Minister, while former Energy Minister, Amber Rudd, replaces May at the interior.
Though EU leaders are pressing for a swift British departure, May has refused to be rushed into activating Article 50, which would officially begin the process of Britain's exit from the EU.
May, who is just the second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, has stressed that she will honour the popular vote, saying repeatedly that "Brexit means Brexit".
After formally being invited to form a Government in a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, May arrived at 10 Downing Street, with a promise to tackle "burning injustice".
"Following the referendum we face a time of great national change. And I know because we're Great Britain that we will rise to the challenge," she told reporters, flanked by her husband, Philip.
"As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world. And we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few but for everyone of us."
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