Britain's David Cameron becomes PM; Brown out

[_Simpson_ 250]

By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writer – 5 mins ago

LONDON – Conservative leader David Cameron became Britain's youngest prime minister in almost 200 years Tuesday, after Gordon Brown stepped down and ended 13 years of Labour at the helm of the government.

In a carefully choreographed dance, Cameron visited Buckingham Palace and was asked to form a government by Queen Elizabeth II less than an hour after Brown himself tendered his resignation to the monarch.

Cameron, whose party won the most House of Commons seats in last week's election but fell just short of a majority, is, at 43, the youngest British leader since Lord Liverpool in 1812.

The high political drama came as the Conservatives and the third-place Liberal Democrats hammered out the details of a coalition deal after the country's inconclusive election.

Standing outside 10 Downing St. alongside his wife Sarah, Brown announced he would travel to see the monarch to resign — allowing Cameron to take office, possibly as part of deal with Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

"I wish the next prime minister well as he makes the important choices for the future," said Brown. "Only those who have held the office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities and its great capacity for good."

Brown said he had "loved the job, not for its prestige, its titles and its ceremony, which I do not love at all."

"No, I loved the job for its potential to make this country I love fairer, more tolerant, more green, more democratic, more prosperous, more just — truly a greater Britain."

After his brief statement, the 59-year-old Brown walked hand-in-hand with his wife and young sons John and Fraser down Downing Street, where a car waited to take him to the palace.

Link

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I'm so happy!!!

Edited May 11, 2010 by _Simpson_

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

He still has to form a government. I wonder how long he can herd cats before the next vote of "No Confidence".

[_Simpson_ 250]

He still has to form a government. I wonder how long he can herd cats before the next vote of "No Confidence".

I've got my fingers crossed.

Edited May 11, 2010 by _Simpson_

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

He still has to form a government. I wonder how long he can herd cats before the next vote of "No Confidence".

It is amazing to me that this is the system Brit expats like to crow about as an "example" for us to follow.

Yes, a great example, if you're into instability and like to have 6-week campaigns every 2 months.

[Peikko 1,575]

It is amazing to me that this is the system Brit expats like to crow about as an "example" for us to follow.

Yes, a great example, if you're into instability and like to have 6-week campaigns every 2 months.

Who said it's an example for the US to follow? If you think I did, you misunderstood. Having said that, a hung parliament is not very common. Once every 70 years or so ishardly constitutional instability.

As for Cameron, as Paxman said, he's a pompous git, and I don't expect great things from his leadership.

Edited May 11, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Wonderful, we have a Prime Minister where two thirds of the UK population never voted for him. First Past the Post system is outdated and needs to be replaced.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

He still has to form a government. I wonder how long he can herd cats before the next vote of "No Confidence".

Probably longer than our neighbour's PM Harper (who has managed it for four years so far).

[Darnell 8,478]

Yay! Some Movement !!

GoGoGadget FormAGovernment !

[alienlovechild 75]

Cameron, whose party won the most House of Commons seats in last week's election but fell just short of a majority, is, at 43, the youngest British leader since Lord Liverpool in 1812.

We all know how great Lord Liverpool was (he had city named after him) so it's a good omen for PM Cameron.

Edited May 11, 2010 by alienlovechild

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wonderful, we have a Prime Minister where two thirds of the UK population never voted for him. First Past the Post system is outdated and needs to be replaced.

I thought there wasn't a popular vote for PM, just voting for your member of Parliament, much like selecting the Speaker of the House in the US. In that case, very few folks actually "voted" for Cameron, or Pelosi.

[Peikko 1,575]

I thought there wasn't a popular vote for PM, just voting for your member of Parliament, much like selecting the Speaker of the House in the US. In that case, very few folks actually "voted" for Cameron, or Pelosi.

There isn't. The prime minister is generally whoever is leader of the party that forms the government and the leadership rules vary by party.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Yay! Some Movement !!

GoGoGadget FormAGovernment !

[Darnell 8,478]

I thought there wasn't a popular vote for PM, just voting for your member of Parliament, much like selecting the Speaker of the House in the US. In that case, very few folks actually "voted" for Cameron, or Pelosi.

Yup - is never by 'popular vote' - something lost on many USCitizens.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

We all know how great Lord Liverpool was (he had city named after him) so it's a good omen for PM Cameron.

Just what the hai do you know about the UK system of government anyway? Or is this just another one of those millionsofthings you think you know what you're talking blowinghotair about?

[Darnell 8,478]

Wonderful, we have a Prime Minister where two thirds of the UK population never voted for him. First Past the Post system is outdated and needs to be replaced.

I'd venture a different percentage to ya - without me studying the data - I'd say 98 percent of the UK population DID NOT VOTE for him. Luckily, he WAS re-elected to his seat in Parliament, though (and those are the only UK voters that matter, for him to 'be seated')