LONDON — Theresa May struck a populist tone in her first public remarks as British Prime Minister on Wednesday, saying she planned to continue predecessor David Cameron’s “true legacy” of social justice.
“David Cameron has led a one-nation government, and it is in that spirit that I also plan to lead,” she said.
He held up a photo of himself with Larry the Downing Street cat, saying he loved the “chief mouser” and was sad to be leaving him behind.
Gesturing across the room and up to his wife, Samantha, watching from the gallery, he said: “I will miss the roar of the crowd, I will miss the barbs from the opposition, but I will be willing you on.
Cameron announced his resignation last month, following the UK’s shock referendum result to leave the EU.
May — the former home secretary who became Conservative leader Monday after her sole contender for the job, Andrea Leadsom, dropped out of the race — is Britain’s second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, who held office from 1979 to 1990.
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.
May has a daunting job as prime minister, facing pressure from the EU to start Brexit negotiations, salvage a plummeting economy and unite a divided nation.
What lies ahead for May?
May will need to form a Cabinet — speculated to include many female ministers and a designated Brexit minister.
She took the first step in that process shortly after assuming the mantle. She named ex-Foreign Minister Philip Hammond the chancellor of the Exchequer, a position that oversees the British Treasury, according to a statement from 10 Downing Street.
Hammond replaces George Osborne, who has resigned from the government. More ministerial appointments will be announced Wednesday evening.
Scotland bucked the national trend for the referendum, with 62% voting to remain.
Along with overseeing EU negotiations, May will need to unite a nation deeply divided over the referendum where 52% voted to leave and 48% to remain.
Not to mention a Conservative Party whose infighting over Europe prompted Cameron to call a referendum in the first place — much to his spectacular downfall.