Theresa May hailed the “precious, precious bond” between the constituent parts of the UK in her first speech as prime minister today.
The former home secretary said the full title of her party was Conservative and Unionist, adding: “That word unionist is very important to me.”
Speaking outside Number 10 – watched by her husband Philip – she also pledged to continue in the spirit of David Cameron’s “One Nation” government.
And in a direct message to families who are “just managing”, she said: “We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.”
Mrs May was confirmed in her new role at a private audience with the Queen after Mr Cameron formally resigned. She is the monarch’s 13th prime minister.
Shortly after entering Downing Street, Number 10 announced former foreign secretary Philip Hammond would replace George Osborne as chancellor.
Meanwhile, Scottish Tory Leader Ruth Davidson has been appointed to the privy council – a body of advisers to the Queen who can be briefed on sensitive issues.
In her speech, the new PM firstly thanked Mr Cameron for his service, praising his “leadership” in stabilising the economy, reducing the budget deficit and helping more people into work.
But his “true legacy”, she insisted, was about “social justice”, pointing to same sex marriage and taking people on low wages out of income tax.
After that, the first thing she chose to highlight was her commitment to the Union.
She said: “Because not everybody knows this, but the full title of my party is the Conservative and Unionist Party and that word unionist is very important to me.
“It means we believe in the Union, the precious, precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
She added that “just as important” was the Union “between all of our citizens”.
Mrs May said: “It means we believe in a unin not just between the nations of the United Kingdom but between all of our citizens – every one of us – whoever we are and wherever we’re from.”
To families “working round the clock” to tread water, she added: “We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.”
She acknowledged the country faced a “time of great national change” following the vote for Brexit, but insisted the nation would “rise to the challenge”.