Brandon

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Britain Has a New Prime Minister. 59 Year Old Theresa May is Second Female Leader

A very smooth transition!

The British seem to manage these things flawlessly. First, Prime Minster David Cameron leaves 10 Downing Street which has been his office and home for more than five years with his family and goes to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II. Once there he resigns and leaves by the back door just as Theresa May, summoned by the Queen, arrives to be asked to form a new government.

It's all done in little more than an hour with live coverage on British television giving moment by moment commentary.

At Buckingham Palace Theresa May accepts Queen Elizabeth's invitation to form a new government.
Earlier, the Cameron family depart #10 Downing Street. Their home for more than five years.
Thus ends a rather messy affair in British politics which saw Cameron resign after losing the vote to remain in the European Union and his expected replacement, former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who was favorite to become the next Prime Minister get knifed in the back by Michael Gove, one of his top lieutenants.

Comparisons will be made between Theresa May and Margaret Thatcher. May is less conservative and certainly does not seem to have the steely resolve that Thatcher was known for.

As far as relations with the United States, it's important to note that the White House was the first to send congratulations to May. This after Obama blundered into the politics of the British referendum on remaining in the European Union and suggested Britain would go "to the back of the queue [line/bus]" if they voted to leave.

UPDATE: Prime Minister May's speech could be American election address

Upon arriving at #10 Downing Street the new Prime Minister made brief remarks designed to underline that she views government not as the object and enricher of an elite few but a servant for ALL people. It's a message we could hear in the U.S. as our presidential election heats up. Here's an excerpt of May's remarks:
PRIME MINISTER MAY: But the mission to make Britain a country that works for everyone means more than fighting these injustices. If you’re from an ordinary working-class family, life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise.

You have a job, but you don’t always have job security. You have your own home, but you worry about paying the mortgage.

You can just about manage, but you worry about the cost of living and getting your kids into a good school.

If you are one of those families, if you’re just managing, I want to address you directly. I know you are working around the clock, I know you’re 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.

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.


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