London (AFP) – David Cameron chaired his final cabinet meeting on Tuesday after six years as Britain’s prime minister, with incoming premier Theresa May preparing to form a new government to deliver Brexit.
May led tributes to Cameron at the meeting, which was described by ministers as “emotional”, and posed for photographers on the steps of the premier’s 10 Downing Street residence afterwards.
Cameron’s end came sooner than expected after dramatic twists in the contest to replace him led to his swift exit from power less than three weeks after the nation’s seismic vote to quit the European Union.
May is already under pressure to set out a timetable for Brexit from EU leaders who warn that a delay could prolong damaging economic uncertainty.
“That’s what I think a lot of people expect and hope and call for,” the European Commission’s economy chief Pierre Moscovici said in Brussels.
Meanwhile Jean-Claude Juncker’s spokesman insisted the European Commission chief “can cope” with negotiations with May, who has warned that he was about to find out how “difficult” she can be.
Cameron announced he would step down after leading the failed campaign for Britain to remain in the EU in the June 23 referendum.
Home Secretary May, the interior minister, was declared the new leader of the governing centre-right Conservative Party on Monday after junior energy minister Andrea Leadsom, her only remaining challenger for the post, withdrew from the contest.
– May mulls cabinet –
May faces immediate questions on when she plans to trigger Article 50 — the formal procedure for withdrawal from the EU — which would set a two-year deadline for completing exit negotiations.
While May supported Britain staying in the bloc, she maintained a low profile during the referendum campaign and insists she will honour the popular vote, stressing on Monday: “Brexit means Brexit”.
May also noted the need “to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU” during the brief comments outside parliament.
Cameron was to face MPs in parliament for a final time on Wednesday in the weekly prime minister’s questions session, before meeting Queen Elizabeth II to tender his resignation.
The monarch will then call for May, the new leader of the majority party in parliament, to form a fresh government.
May, 59, will become Britain’s second female prime minister after Conservative titan Margaret Thatcher.
She was to spend Tuesday sketching out who will take the key roles in her administration, which will be focused on delivering Brexit.
May will have to keep Leave-supporting Conservative heavyweights onside if she is to heal the splits in the party caused by the referendum.
One key figure who will be staying on in 10 Downing Street is Larry the cat, the Cabinet Office confirmed.
As Cameron visited a school set up by teachers in 2012 to highlight one of the his government’s major reforms, a van full of removal men arrived at Downing Street who began unloading moving boxes.
– Opposition turmoil –
Tuesday was set to be a key date in the history of the main opposition Labour party, whose embattled leader Jeremy Corbyn — hugely popular with party members — is facing a leadership challenge after losing the confidence of at least 75 percent of Labour MPs.
The party’s ruling National Executive Committee was to decide whether incumbent Corbyn needs, like Eagle, to secure the support of 20 percent of fellow party MPs and members of the European Parliament to get his name on the leadership contest ballot.
Socialist stalwart Corbyn struggled through a media scrum as he arrived at the NEC meeting.
Lawyers for one NEC member have threatened an immediate High Court injunction if Corbyn is not automatically put on the ballot.
There is a risk of the party splitting if Corbyn does make the ballot and secures a repeat of September’s landslide victory.
Corbyn hit out Tuesday at the violence and intimidation surrounding the leadership contest after a brick was thrown through Eagle’s office window.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.