IT was only her first speech as Prime Minister, and some devilishly difficult tasks lie ahead, but Theresa May nevertheless hit some welcome notes as she spoke on the steps of Number Ten last night.

In the wake of the vote to leave the European Union, it is easy to assume that Brexit is all that matters. Clearly, Mrs May’s negotiations with the EU will have a profound impact on the direction the country takes in the next few years, but the fall-out from the Brexit vote is not the be all and end all of the political process.

Other issues matter, and by positioning herself as a “One Nation” Prime Minister from the outset of her reign, Mrs May has made an immediate grab for the political centre ground by promising that she will lead “for the many and not the few”.

We will need time to see what that means in practice, but it can only be a good thing to see a Conservative Prime Minister pledging to reduce the gulf between the rich and poor.

“If you’re one of those families, if you’re just managing, I want to address you directly,” said Mrs May. “I know you’re working around the clock. I know you’re doing your best. I know that sometimes life can be a struggle. The Government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours.”

That sounds like more of a Labour manifesto than a Tory one, and a time when the Opposition is in a state of complete chaos, we welcome the new Prime Minister shining a light on the social inequalities that continue to cause such pain throughout Britain, but particularly in the North-East.

Mrs May pledged to safeguard the union between the constituent parts of the UK, and promised to carve out “a bold new role” in the world.

She has made an astute and well-judged start – let us hope she can live up to her promises.