Cameron was swept into power last Thursday in an election no opinion poll predicted. He quickly assembled the first Tory-only cabinet since 1997, giving prominence to women and promising to be on the side of the "working man".
In an effort to curry favour with a broad church of the UK electorate, he put working class values and women at the top of his agenda. However, he faces tough choices in the weeks to come.
I'll tell the first meeting of the Conservative Cabinet, "We are the real party of working people, putting hardworking taxpayers first."
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 12, 2015
He kept Theresa May as Home Secretary, as one of the major posts, in a move that was widely expected. He brought in Amber Rudd as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Priti Patel as Minister of State for Employment, Anna Soubry as Minister of State for Small Business and Baroness Stowell as Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal.
One nation, one United Kingdom — that is how I hope to govern if I am fortunate enough to continue as Prime Minister.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 8, 2015
Holding his first cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, a leaked report said he would tell the cabinet that he wanted to lead a government that rewarded hard work.
"I want everyone around this table to remember who we're for. Every decision we take, every policy we pursue, every programme we initiate, never forget: we're here to give everyone in our country the chance to make the most of their life," he was reported to have told them.
"The pundits might call it 'blue-collar Conservatism', others being on the side of hardworking taxpayers. I call it being the real party for working people: giving everyone in our country the chance to get on, with the dignity of a job, the pride of a paycheque, a home of their own and the security and peace of mind that comes from being able to support a family."
Cameron's first task, however, was to send Chancellor George Osborne to Brussels promising to improve relations with Europe. "We go into the negotiations aiming to be constructive and engaged," Osborne told reporters. "But also resolute and firm."
Cameron may have hosted his first cabinet meeting today, winning plaudits for promoting women and working class values. He is, however, facing major challenges over calls for more Scottish devolution and the highly-charged issue of the UK's membership of the European Union.
