This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/13/theresa-may-becomes-britains-prime-minister

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Theresa May becomes prime minister, promising 'one nation' government Theresa May promises 'union of all citizens' in first speech as prime minister
(35 minutes later)
Britain’s new prime minister, Theresa May, said she would lead a “one nation” government as she arrived in Downing Street, promising “a union between all our citizens”. Theresa May promised to fight “burning injustice” in British society, govern for the poor and marginalised, and create a union “between all of our citizens” in her first remarks as the UK’s prime minister.
May vowed to tackle injustice, saying: “The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few,” and adding that “together we will build a better Britain”. Standing outside No 10 Downing Street after visiting the Queen in Buckingham Palace to “kiss hands” and be formally anointed as Britain’s second female prime minister, May made a bold grab for the political centre ground.
She stressed her determination to preserve the union between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and said she would rise to the challenge of negotiating exit from the European Union and forge a bold new positive role for Britain in the world. The former home secretary looked directly into the waiting television cameras, and said she would make decisions based on the interests of struggling families, not the rich.
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. The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.” Related: Prime minister Theresa May pledges to protect the 'precious bond of United Kingdom' – Politics live
She spoke outside No 10 shortly after emerging from Buckingham Palace as Britain’s second female prime minister, having paid the traditional visit to the Queen to be invited to form a government. “If you’re one of those families, if you’re just managing, I want to address you directly. I know you’re working around the clock. I know you’re doing your best. I know that sometimes life can be a struggle.
May’s appointment at the palace, to “kiss hands” with the Queen, as the ceremony is known, came shortly after David Cameron went to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation. “The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives,” she said.
Cameron, who stepped down after the electorate rejected his pleas to vote to remain in the European Union in last month’s referendum, had earlier congratulated May as he left No 10 for the last time as PM with his wife and children. “When we take the big calls, we’ll think not of the powerful, but you. When we pass new laws we’ll listen not to the mighty, but to you. When it comes to taxes we’ll prioritise not the wealthy but you.
“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.”
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.
She also stressed that the full name of the Conservative party was the Conservative and Unionist party, and she would safeguard the union between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — as Scotland threatens to break away after the vote to leave the EU.
May spoke outside No 10 shortly after emerging from Buckingham Palace, where she had paid the traditional visit to the Queen to be invited to form a government. She is the 54th holder of the office of prime minister since it was created in the 18th century.
She went to the palace after Cameron had been to tender his resignation to the Queen.
Related: Cameron has washed his hands of No 10. But he’s left an almighty mess | Polly Toynbee
Cameron, who stepped down after his campaign to remain in the EU lost last month’s referendum, had earlier congratulated May as he left No 10 for the last time as PM with his wife and children.
May swept to her party’s leadership, when her final opponent, the pro-Brexit Andrea Leadsom, dropped out this week after making controversial comments about motherhood. May had served Cameron as home secretary throughout his six years in government.May swept to her party’s leadership, when her final opponent, the pro-Brexit Andrea Leadsom, dropped out this week after making controversial comments about motherhood. May had served Cameron as home secretary throughout his six years in government.
The new prime minister was expected to make the first senior appointments to her government on Wednesday evening, including a minister for Brexit.The new prime minister was expected to make the first senior appointments to her government on Wednesday evening, including a minister for Brexit.
Cameron had ranked a stronger economy, gay marriage and free schools as the heart of his legacy in a final and emotional farewell speech in Downing Street. Standing with his family, he said being prime minister had been “the greatest honour of my life”.Cameron had ranked a stronger economy, gay marriage and free schools as the heart of his legacy in a final and emotional farewell speech in Downing Street. Standing with his family, he said being prime minister had been “the greatest honour of my life”.
Addressing the waiting media before heading to Buckingham Palace, Cameron sought to paint a positive picture of his time in office, despite it ending suddenly after the EU referendum result.Addressing the waiting media before heading to Buckingham Palace, Cameron sought to paint a positive picture of his time in office, despite it ending suddenly after the EU referendum result.
“It’s not been easy journey, and of course we’ve not got every decision right,” he said, alongside his wife, Samantha, and children Nancy, Elwen and Florence.“It’s not been easy journey, and of course we’ve not got every decision right,” he said, alongside his wife, Samantha, and children Nancy, Elwen and Florence.
Giving his account of six years in office, Cameron highlighted, among other things, gay marriage, the protection of the foreign aid budget, the NHS and the national living wage. He also mentioned the economy and jobs, changes to the care system, free schools and the national citizen service.Giving his account of six years in office, Cameron highlighted, among other things, gay marriage, the protection of the foreign aid budget, the NHS and the national living wage. He also mentioned the economy and jobs, changes to the care system, free schools and the national citizen service.