UK

Theresa May promises to be PM for all, not just 'privileged few'

 UK Prime Minister Theresa May makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government.  Hannah McKay/PA Wire
 UK Prime Minister Theresa May makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government. Hannah McKay/PA Wire  UK Prime Minister Theresa May makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II and accepting her invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government. Hannah McKay/PA Wire

THERESA May has taken office as the UK's second female Prime Minister with the promise to create "a country that works for everyone".

Speaking outside the famous black door of 10 Downing Street, Mrs May said that the decisions of her administration would be driven not by the interests of "the privileged few" but those of voters struggling with the pressures of modern life.

Just minutes after being invited by the Queen to form a Government, the new Prime Minister stressed her determination to preserve the Union between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. And she promised 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.

But her strongest message was of her intention to serve as a "One Nation" Conservative PM acting on behalf of all voters, not just the Tories' traditional supporters in the comfortable suburbs and shires, and the world of business.

In a direct message to voters, she said: "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.

"When we take the big calls we will think not of the powerful, but you. When we pass new laws we will listen not to the mighty, but to you."

Mrs May's elevation completes a whirlwind rise to the country's most senior political job triggered by the unexpected Brexit vote in last month's referendum which brought down her predecessor David Cameron just 20 days ago.

She paid tribute to Mr Cameron as a "great modern prime minister" who had stabilised the economy, brought down the deficit and increased employment, but whose greatest legacy would be social justice measures like the legalisation of gay marriage and the removal of the low-paid from income tax.

"David Cameron has led a One Nation government, and it is in that spirit that I also plan to lead," she said.

Mrs May made clear that, despite backing Remain in the recent referendum campaign, she intended to make good on her promise that "Brexit means Brexit".

"We are living through an important moment in our country's history. Following the referendum we face a time of great national change and I know because we are Great Britain we will rise to the challenge," she said.

"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 every one of us.

"That will be the mission of the Government I lead and together we will build a better Britain."

She stressed her personal commitment to the second part of her party's official name Conservative and Unionist, promising to maintain the "precious, precious bond" between the different nations of the UK at a time when the Scottish Government is making preparations for a possible second independence referendum.

But she said that for her, being a Unionist also meant preserving the bonds between all the country's citizens "whoever we are and wherever we are from".

This meant fighting the "burning injustices" of discrimination and disadvantages faced by various sectors of society including women, ethnic minorities and the white working classes, she said.

Speaking directly to ordinary voters, she said: "When we take the big calls we will think not of the powerful but you. When we pass new laws we will listen not to the mighty, but to you. When it comes to taxes we will 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."

Mrs May posed with husband Philip on the steps of No 10, laughing and waving to the world's press, before turning to enter her new home

"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."