Theresa May has been formally installed as the new PM after meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace
Theresa May has been formally installed as the new PM after meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace

Theresa May takes office as UK PM as Cameron bows out

Mr David Cameron says being prime minister has been "the greatest honour" of his life. In his final address  outside No 10 Downing Street, before driving to Buckingham Palace,  Mr Cameron said he had "not got every decision right" but added, "I do believe that today, our country is much stronger." 

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Flanked by his wife and children in Downing Street, he said the UK was "much stronger" than when he took over.

He then went to Buckingham Palace, where a statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed he had tendered his resignation as prime minister to the Queen.

The Queen has now formally appointed Mrs Theresa Mary May as his replacement.

Earlier, Mr Cameron took Prime Minister’s Questions  (PMQs) for the final time, telling MPs he would "miss the roar of the crowd".

After taking office, Mrs May, the home secretary, will set about naming her own frontbench team.

"Politicians like to talk about policies, but in the end it's about people's lives," he said, pointing to the government's record on employment, the NHS and defence.

He wished Mrs May well, saying she would provide "strong and stable leadership", and paid tribute to his wife Samantha and his children.

The Camerons leave Downing Street

As the family left for the final time, he said his only wish was "continued success for this great country that I love so very much".

In the Commons, Conservative MPs rose as one to applaud Mr Cameron at the end of his 182nd PMQs session as prime minister, as did former Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Labour MPs also joined in with the clapping, including leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Cameron told his MPs that he intended to stay in public life and would be "willing them on", saying "nothing is impossible". In his final remarks, he reprised a comment he made to Tony Blair during his first PMQs as opposition leader in 2005, saying: "I was the future once."

As is traditional for new Prime Ministers, Mrs May was clapped in to Downing Street by staff and aides  

During a generally light-hearted and jocular session of PMQs, Mr Cameron said he had clocked up 5,500 questions at the dispatch box, joking that he would leave it to others to decide how many he has answered.

He dismissed suggestions he will look to take over as the host of Top Gear or England manager, joking they "sound even harder" than being PM.

He also stressed his love for Larry the Downing Street cat — amid rumours that he was not a fan — a point he later emphasised on Twitter and swapped warm wishes with Jeremy Corbyn, saying he had almost come to admire the Labour leader's "tenacity" in hanging on to his job.

'Amazing moments'

Defending his economic, social and foreign affairs achievements, Mr Cameron said there had been "many amazing moments" over the past six years of "public service in the national interest".

Mr Cameron "warmly congratulated" Theresa May, who sat next to him during the session, on her election and told Mr Corbyn that "when it came to female prime ministers I am pleased to say pretty soon it is going be two-nil".

Mr Corbyn said that although he had often disagreed with the PM, he thanked him for his service over the last six years and praised him for his backing for equal marriage and his efforts to secure the release of Shaker Aamer from Guantanamo Bay.

The Labour leader also paid tribute to Mr Cameron's wife Samantha and his family, who watched the proceedings from the public gallery. His daughters Nancy and Florence were seen to give their father a wave and cheer him on during the session.

Earlier, Mr Cameron told the Telegraph he came into Downing Street to "lead people through difficult decisions so together we could reach better times", adding "as I leave today, I hope people will see a stronger country, a thriving economy, and more chances to get on in life."

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Later, after saying goodbye to staff at Downing Street, the PM will tender his resignation to the Queen,

Theresa May promises one nation government

UK's new prime minister Theresa May has vowed to lead a "one nation" government that works for all not just the "privileged few".

Speaking outside No 10 Downing Street after being appointed by the Queen, she said it would be her mission to "build a better Britain".

She promised to give people who were "just managing" and "working around the clock" more control over their lives.

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Mrs May is the UK's second female prime minister, after Margaret Thatcher.

Her husband Philip was standing behind her as she made her first public speech in the role, highlighting the "precious bond" between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and between "every one of us".

"That means fighting against the burning injustice that if you're born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others," she said.

For an "ordinary working class family", she added, "life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise".

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Speaking directly to people who were "just managing", she said: "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'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."

She also paid tribute to her predecessor, David Cameron, saying he had been a "great, modern prime minister".

 

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