Accepting queen's invite, Theresa May is now Britain's leader - CBS

LONDON - Theresa May became Britain's new prime minister on Wednesday, accepting an invitation to govern from Queen Elizabeth II after the resignation of David Cameron. She promised to lead a "one-nation" government dedicated to social justice and making "Britain a country that works for everyone."

Alluding to the tough negotiations that lie ahead over Britain's exit from the European Union, May said, "we face a time of great national change."

But she said Britain would "rise to the challenge" and forge "a bold new positive role" in the world.

May is the country's first female leader since Margaret Thatcher, the famously resolute politician -- nicknamed "The Iron Lady" -- who was the leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990, and prime minister from 1979 to 1990, the longest reign of the 20th Century in that post.  May won the job by default.

The other contenders had either stabbed each other in the back -- or the front -- or had fallen on their own swords.

May had actually argued for remaining in the EU. Now she says she'll try to get the best deal for Britain's departure. But she won't be doing anything quickly. An EU divorce has to be triggered by the country that's leaving, and May has said there's plenty to do before she actually pulls the trigger.

May began appointing new Cabinet ministers on Wednesday evening, and plans on adding a "Brexit" minister to oversee talks on a British EU exit from the 28-nation EU. There is also speculation that May will boost the number of women in top posts.
May, 59, has been Britain's home secretary, in charge of immigration and law and order, for the past six years. She has the tough task of calming the country and global financial markets after the upheaval that has followed Brexit vote. - Read More
Accepting queen's invite, Theresa May is now Britain's leader

Done in by Brexit, David Cameron says goodbye - CBS