Theresa May on Wednesday took charge as the prime minister of the United Kingdom. The former home secretary became the first ever woman in the position since Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher.
May succeeded David Cameron, who stepped down as prime minister following the Brexit referendum in which the UK voted to leave the European Union. After his 182nd session as prime minister, Cameron was awarded a standing ovation in the House of Commons by both Conservative and Labour Party MPs. He handed in his resignation on Wednesday to Queen Elizabeth II, BBC reported. Cameron and May had both campaigned for Britain to remain in the 28-member EU.
The 59-year-old is expected to up the number of women in her Cabinet, including a likely promotion for junior minister of Indian origin, Priti Patel. May became the prime minister elect on Monday after her only opponent Andrea Leadsom withdrew from the Conservative leadership race.
A spokesperson for May said earlier that they were already working on setting up a committee to negotiate Britain’s exit from the EU, PTI reported. “Civil servants have already been charged with finding a building to house the Brexit department – an indication of May’s commitment to get on with delivering the verdict of the EU referendum. Brexit means Brexit, and we’re going to make a success of it,” the spokesperson said.
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