Theresa May’s final speech interrupted by someone screaming ‘stop Brexit’
Outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May makes a final statement to the world’s media from outside 10 Downing Street on July 24, 2019 in London, England. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty)
Theresa May made her final statement as British Prime Minister today (July 24) but was interrupted by someone screaming “stop Brexit.”
May has been leader of the Conservative Party since July 13 2016, and this afternoon Boris Johnson takes her place as party leader and Prime Minister.
As she was thanking her husband, who she said had been her “greatest supporter and closest companion,” an onlooker screamed “stop Brexit.”
Philip May said: “That wasn’t me.” The departing PM said: “I think the answer to that is — I think not.”
In her speech, she said that the “immediate priority” for the UK was leaving the European Union “in a way that works for the whole United Kingdom.”
She extended her “warmest congratulations” to Johnson and gave him some advice: “To serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the greatest honour. The heavy responsibilities are outweighed by the huge potential to serve your country.”
May also said in her speech that she hoped that as a female leader she could inspire young women.
She said: “Thank you for putting your faith in me and giving me the chance to serve.
“This is a country of aspiration and opportunity and I hope that every young girl who has seen a woman Prime Minister now knows for sure that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that May has tendered her resignation and the Queen has officially requested that Johnson form a new administration. (The Royal Family/ Twitter)
Theresa May has tendered her resignation and the Queen “was graciously pleased to accept”
Buckingham Palace has already announced that May has tendered her resignation: “Her majesty was graciously pleased to accept.”
The palace has also confirmed that the Queen has officially requested that Johnson form a new administration.
This is the first time in British political history that the PM has been selected by a party membership rather than MPs or the electorate — fewer than 0.4 percent of 46.8 million citizens eligible to vote determined the country’s leadership fate.
