Britain’s Prime Minister Chairs His Final Cabinet Meeting

Britain's Prime Ministe, David Cameron, makes an announcement Monday July 11, 2016, outside No.10 Downing Street, London, after Theresa May secured her place as the United Kingdom's second female prime minister through the surprise withdrawal of her only rival in the battle to succeed him. Philip Toscano/PA via AP

LONDON—The brutal swiftness of British politics was on display Tuesday as moving vans pulled up to take David Cameron’s possessions away from 10 Downing Street and his successor posed for photos in front of her new home.

Cameron will step aside on Wednesday after losing the campaign to keep Britain in the European Union. The next prime minister, Theresa May, is seeking to bring calm to Britain after upheaval following the unexpected result.

Ministers—including May—gathered for Cameron’s 215th and final weekly Cabinet session Tuesday, the day after she was confirmed as the new Conservative leader and prime minister-in-waiting.

The moment was bittersweet. Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said there had been a “touch of sadness” to the meeting, which saw May and Treasury chief George Osborne lead tributes to Cameron.

Cameron’s spokeswoman, Helen Bower, said ministers banged the Cabinet table in approval and tribute at the end of the “warm and reflective” meeting.

Police officers guard a removal van parked at the rear of 10 Downing Street, London on July 12, 2016. Philip Toscano/PA via AP