The new Prime Minister pledged to be a Unionist and champion social justice in her maiden speech as the country’s leader.
Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead, was speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street just after meeting with the Queen and accepting her invitation to form a Government.
She said that she would do “everything we can to give you more control over your lives” and vowed that “the government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few”.
Mrs May was calm, confident and assured as she made the speech watched by her husband Philip.
Earlier this evening, she was driven to Buckingham Palace where the Queen granted her an audience. Afterwards, she was taken to her new home, where she addressed the nation.
She started by praising her predecessor and vowed to follow in his footsteps.
“I have just been to Buckingham Palace where Her Majesty asked me to form a Government and I accepted.
“In David Cameron I follow in the footsteps of a great Prime Minister.
“David’s true legacy is about social justice. “He lead a one-nation Government and in that spirit I intend to lead his one.”
She reminded people that the full title of the Conservative party is The Conservative and Unionist Party, adding that “that word Unionist is very important to me”.
It was a pledge to do what she could to keep Scotland in the Union, despite the country wanting to Remain in the European Union while England voted to leave it.
She also added that she “believed in all Unions, whoever we are and wherever we’re from”.
Mrs May wanted to give back to families, reaching out directly to those who are disadvantaged, are insecure in work and those who are “just managing”.
“If you’re one of those families, if you’re just managing, I want to address you directly. The Governemnt I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few but by you.
“I will do everything I can to give you more control of your lives.”
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