LONDON—Theresa May wanted Britain to stay in the European Union, but the government she unveiled July 14 leaves little doubt that Britain’s new prime minister intends to fulfill voters’ instructions and take it out of the 28-nation bloc.
May has appointed leading euroskeptics—including the unpredictable Boris Johnson and the formidable David Davis—to top international jobs in a Cabinet that sweeps away many members of predecessor David Cameron’s administration.
When she was running for the Conservative leadership, May promised that “Brexit means Brexit,” and her appointments of Johnson, Davis, and arch-euroskeptic Trade Secretary Liam Fox signal to EU leaders that, no matter what her own feelings, she will not be watering down Britain’s commitment to leaving the EU.
Johnson, Britain’s new foreign secretary, said July 14 it was an opportunity to be seized—“reshaping Britain’s global profile and identity as a great global player.”
