“Reluctant Remainer” Theresa May to Take Over for PM Cameron Post Brexit

The Conservative Party in the United Kingdom confirmed Theresa May will take over for Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday this week. May said Monday she was “honored and humbled” to be chosen as Britain’s next prime minister, making her the second woman–alongside Margaret Thatcher–to hold the nation’s most powerful position, both of whom being conservatives.

“Together we will build a better Britain,” May said.

May, who has served as Britain’s home secretary for six years, basically won the post by default. She instantly became the conservative party’s only choice after her sole remaining rival, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, unexpectedly withdrew earlier Monday. Mr. Cameron has said he will step down on Wednesday and May will immediately replace him.

“We will have a new prime minister in that building behind me by Wednesday evening,” Prime Minister Cameron said in front of 10 Downing Street on Monday.

Mr. Cameron announced his resignation after failing to convince voters to remain in the European Union (EU) in a June 23 referendum, or Brexit. Despite the aggregate polling data, the people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the imbalanced economic partnership due to unfettered immigration, a lack of economic and national sovereignty. May had campaigned, albeit as a “reluctant remainer,” for Britain to remain but on Monday sought to reassure those who voted “leave” that she would respect their wishes.

“Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.”