Cameron vows to unite the country as he returns to Downing Street as PM
David Cameron has vowed to govern for the whole of the United Kingdom as he returned to No 10 at the head of a majority Conservative government.
After a stunning election night for the Tories, the Prime Minister paid generous tribute to his defeated rivals Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg who both announced that they would be quitting as leaders of their parties.
Following an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace to confirm his second term in office, Mr Cameron returned to Downing Street with a pledge to restore unity to the country after a bruising five week campaign.
Speaking on the steps of No 10, Mr Cameron - who had repeatedly warned of the dangers of a Labour government propped up by the votes of the SNP - said he would press ahead with the promised further devolution to Scotland "as fast as I can".
"As we conduct this vital work we must ensure that we bring our country together. We will govern as a party of one nation, one United Kingdom," he said.
"It means bringing together the different nations of our United Kingdom. I have always believed in governing with respect.
"In this parliament I will stay true to my word and implement as fast as I can the devolution that all parties agreed for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland."
Mr Cameron said he had been proud to lead the first coalition government in 70 years as he thanked those who had worked "so hard to make it a sucess", singling out Mr Clegg for praise.
"Elections can be bruising clashes of ideas and arguments.
"And a lot of people who believe profoundly in public service have seen that service cut short."
The Prime Minister added: "Ed Miliband rang me this morning to wish me luck with the new government.
"It was a typically generous gesture from someone who is clearly in public service for all the right reasons."
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