THE UK's second female Prime Minister has taken office after another historic day in Westminster.

Theresa May has been named as the new Prime Minister after three of the most dramatic weeks in recent British history, including the resignation of predecessor David Cameron.

And now figures ranging from council and business chiefs to headteachers and faith leaders have had their say on what they want the new Prime Minister to deliver for Hampshire.

The wishlist from the county includes calls for a commitment to devolving powers to the Solent, assurances on the futures of thousands of Europeans in the area after the EU Referendum and -- Mrs May became the country's second female Prime Minister when she succeeded Mr Cameron yesterday afternoon.

She had emerged as the early frontrunner and within a fortnight of nominations opening her four challengers had all fallen by the wayside, with last rival Andrea Leadsom pulling out earlier this week.

Mr Cameron's final Prime Minister's Questions was marked by a round of applause from MPs in the Commons, while his own MPs gave him a standing ovation.

His announcement that he was standing down in the wake of the EU Referendum result on June 23 sparked a fierce but brief tussle to replace him at the head of the party, and the premiership.

Following his farewell PMQs, he gave a brief statement outside 10 Downing Street alongside wife Samantha and children Nancy, Florence and Elwen, before making the short trip to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to the Queen.

Minutes later, he was followed by former Home Secretary Mrs May who became the new Prime Minister after accepting the Queen's invitation to form a new government.

She then proceeded to her new home at 10 Downing Street, addressing the nation with a brief statement, saying: ''from the introduction of same sex marriage to taking people on low wages out of income tax altogether, David Cameron has led a One Nation government and it is in that spirit that I also plan to lead".

Now thoughts have turned to what Mrs May can do for Hampshire as Prime Minister.

The referendum result, where the UK voted to leave the EU, has sparked uncertainty and many are calling on her to provide strong leadership and stability in the wake of the vote.

Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry has opposed the Solent devolution proposals, having been a bitter opponent of the Government's insistence for a directly-elected mayor that led to the collapse of the Hampshire-wide bid.

He said: "I'm particularly looking forward to Theresa May as Prime Minister, I think she will be an excellent choice and an excellent PM.

"I would think she would take a closer look at the devolution issue and drop any requirements for having an elected mayor, and if that happens I think that gives us very real opportunity to get back to the unanimously agreed model for the whole of Hampshire we had last year.

"The other issue that affects Hampshire as an education authority is the Government has indicated forced academisation of schools won't be included in legislation and I want them to drop any measures forcing schools to become academies.

"I also think there should be recognition of the large financial pressures on local government, particularly those authorities with adult and children's social care, and we want the Government to face up to the very real pressures councils are facing in this respect."

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Dunn said the organisation was looking for 'clarity, certainty and stability'.

"This is the start of that and we are really pleased we will not have to wait until September 9", he added.

"Clearly we have to start considering our position as we move forward, not only with the EU but with the rest of the world in terms of how we get out there, and the chamber network is going to be seeking to work alongside Government to give it support in how we can actually help with the negotiations on trade.

"We will also be seeking clarity on EU nationals and their status, both for them and their employers.

"And we are looking to see how we can take a positive approach to see what Brexit can offer us to move business forward."

Norman Armstrong, from financial and business adviser Grant Thornton's south coast team, also called on Mrs May to give 'a firm assurance that EU citizens currently legally employed in the UK will have a permanent right to remain'.

He said he wanted a debate on the free movement of people, a 'reform of skills and education policies to ensure we develop the home grown talent we need in the UK for the jobs of the future' and the 'adoption of new forms of government' including more collaboration between the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, more open policy and more devolution.

Michael Lane, Police and Crime Commissioner commented: “The highest priority of Government is the national security and defence of the people, and the complex world in which we live requires an experienced pair of hands at the helm.

“It is right that someone with a broad view of the people’s needs and aspirations should lead as Prime Minister. She has this from her time at the Home Office and as part of the Cabinet.

“As PCC, my responsibility is to keep all the people of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton safer. Theresa May as Prime Minister will continue to deliver the national element of this same vision.”

Nuffield Creative and Executive Director Sam Hodges hopes new Prime Minister Theresa May will back the arts as the theatre expands into Southampton's new arts space Studio 144.

He said: "The most interesting thing locally to come out of the EU Referendum was that Southampton specifically almost perfectly represented the national picture in terms of the split. It was slightly majority Leave but quite an equal balance between the two. So we're opening this new place in the middle of a city where half of people think very differently to the other half about how they want the country to be and all the things that represents.

"The biggest thing therefore is about cohesion and tolerance and the importance of different communities being able to talk to each other and have a voice and the arts can definitely provide a platform for that. We have a long way to go, but we can achieve that with Studio 144.

"I would definitely hope the new Prime Minister would promote the role of the arts in helping facilitate understanding, unity and cohesion.

"The economic case for the arts is very strong - it brings in a lot more than it costs. We don't really know where Theresa May is going to go financially and I know there's not going to be more money to play with, but I would make the case to her for funding of the arts to be ring-fenced within the budget. It's a false economy to make cuts to the arts.

"The other big thing is the greatest tragedy for the arts in this country is that there is no longer an emphasis on the arts in schools. Music or drama or painting are vital to your sense of expression and cultural education must be on the agenda."

Harry Dymond, chairman of Southampton Healthwatch, said: "We need to see additional resources made available for health and social care which is struggling quite hard with existing budgets. With the ageing population it is going to get worse.

"The lack of social care funding leads to delayed transfers from people in hospital and an affect on A&E waiting times.

"Mental health services are also in need of greater funding and resources and we need increased availability of training for GPs and nurses.

"There also needs to be clarity for nursing and other medical staff who have come in to support the NHS from overseas - both EU and non-EU.

"There needs to be a clear immigration policy. Around 20 per cent of NHS staff are from overseas and they do a great job. But if the government decides that nursing and medical care are required professions and would allow for immigration then it would be more than helpful."