VOA常速英语:英国新首相组建新内阁

Demonstrators crowded central London as Britain bid farewell to outgoing leader Theresa May and welcomed Boris Johnson as the country’s 55th Prime Minister. A group of climate change protesters dressed in red sought to interrupt Johnson’s motorcade on the way to Buckingham Palace for a ceremonial meeting with the Queen. The new prime minister wasted no time forming a new government to help him take Britain out of the European Union by October 31st. And though I am today building a great team of men and women, I will take personal responsibility for the change I want to see. Never mind the backstop, the buck stops here.

Johnson appointed Sajid Javid as the new chancellor, making him the country’s first ethnic minority member in the position. The former Home Secretary who was once an investment banker Javid will oversee the British economy during the turbulent times expected to result from Brexit. I’m very much looking forward to working with the new team and the new prime minister, the Prime Minister has already set out some of his key priorities that includes making sure that we leave the European Union on October the 31st,and that we take advantage of the huge economic opportunities that lie ahead. To replace Javid as Home Secretary, Johnson brought back conservative Priti Patel, former International Development Secretary, who was forced to resign from May’s government after revelations she had conducted secret meetings with the Israeli government. Johnson’s former rival Jeremy Hunt was replaced with Dominic Raab as foreign secretary. The former Brexit secretary would also serve as first secretary of state which makes him eligible to become Johnson’s deputy. Obviously the full office that the messages we sent, the opportunities around the world, and our confidence in our country, taking those opportunities with fuels as optimism, some I can’t wait for. Long time Johnson ally, former security minister Ben Wallace, was promoted to defense secretary replacing Penny Mordant. Some of the cabinet members were confirmed in their positions during the government shake up, among them Brexit secretary Stephen Berkeley and health secretary Matt Hancock.
Zlatica Hoke VOA News Washington.