UK PM to fight 'burning injustice'

Theresa May becomes the second woman to hold the post 37 years after Margaret Thatcher took up office in 1979. She's also the 13th person to act as prime minister under Queen Elizabeth II, who formally charged May with forming a government on Wednesday evening.

Speaking as she arrived at the official residence at 10 Downing Street, May said she would make "make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us."

May said David Cameron had led a one nation government, and "it is in that spirit that I also plan to lead."

First appointments

Shortly after her speech, May made her first appointment to Cabinet as Finance Minister George Osborne resigned and she named Philip Hammond in his place.

Former Mayor of London and leader of the Brexit campaign, Boris Johnson has been appointed foreign minister and Amber Rudd as interior minister. Michael Fallon remains defense minister.

David Davis has been appointed secretary of state for exiting the European Union. Liam Fox becomes international trade secretary.

'Not the mighty nor the wealthy nor the privileged'

She said the word "unionist" was important to her - representing England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - adding she would strengthen the United Kingdom and the common bond that unites the nations of the UK. "Because not everybody knows this, but the full title of my party is the Conservative and Unionist Party. And that word unionist is very important to me."

May said she would prioritise "not the mighty nor the wealthy nor the privileged" but working people, also saying she would do everything she could to help people to get on in life. "The government I lead will be led not by the interests of the privileged few," she said.

Burning injustice

"That means fighting against the burning injustice that if you're born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others. If you're black, you're treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you're white. If you're a white working class boy, you're less likely than anybody else in Britain to go to university. If you're at a state school, you're less likely to reach the top professions than if you're educated privately. If you're a woman, you will earn less than a man. If you suffer from mental health problems, there's not enough help to hand. If you're young, you'll find it harder than ever before to own your own home," the new prime minister said.

May said there were many people who were "just managing" and that her mission was to make Britain a country that worked for everyone.

"If you're from an ordinary working class family, life is much harder than many people in Westminster realize. 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're one of those families, if you're just managing, I want to address you directly. I know you're working around the clock, I know you're doing your best and I know that sometimes life can be a struggle. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives," May said.

"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 prioritize 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 remarked.

The new prime minister said that by working together and exploiting the talents of all the people and build a "better Britain."

Brexit negotiations

Under her government Britain will forge "a bold new positive role" in the world, outside of the European Union. May said: "we are living through an important moment in our country's history" and need to "rise to the challenge." May said: "As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold, new, positive role for ourselves in the world."

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker offered timely congratulations:

As he sent a similar message, London Mayor Sadiq Khan also focused on the challenge ahead in leaving the EU, calling urgently for "an EU deal that allows London's economy to continue to prosper, the further devolution of powers to the capital to enable us to project jobs and growth, and reassurance to EU citizens already living here that they will continue to be welcome through these uncertain times."

jm/msh (Reuters, AP)