Gordon Brown has just resigned as Prime Minister at the steps of 10 Downing Street.
This means there’s a deal between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats and David Cameron will be our new Prime Minister.
Gordon Brown’s Resignation Speech
“As you know the general election left no party able to command a majority in the House of Commons. I said I would do all that I could to ensure a strong, stable and principled government was formed: able to tackle Britain’s economic and political challenges effectively.
My constitutional duty is to make sure that a government can be formed following last Thursday’s general election.
I have informed the Queen’s private secretary that it is my intention to tender my resignation to the Queen. In the event that the Queen accepts, I shall advise her to invite the Leader of the Opposition to seek to form a government. I wish the next prime minister well as he makes the important choices for the future.
Only those who have held the office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities and its great capacity for good.
I have been privileged to learn much about the very best in human nature and a fair amount too about its frailties, including my own. Above all it was a privilege to serve.
And yes, I loved the job, not for its prestige, titles and it’s ceremony, which I do not love at all; no, I loved it’s for its potential to make this country I love fairer, more tolerant, more green, more democratic, more prosperous, more just, truly a Greater Britain.
In the face of many challenges and a very few short years, challenges up to and including the global financial meltdown I have always strived to serve, to do my best in the interest of Britain, it’s values and its people.
And let me add one thing also, I will always admire the courage I have seen in our armed forces and now that the political season is over, let me stress that having shaken their hands and looked into their eyes, our troops represent all that is best in our country, and I will never forget all those who have died in honour and whose families today live in grief.
My resignation of leader of the Labour party will take effect immediately and in this hour I want to thank all my colleagues, ministers, Members of Parliament. And I want to thank, above all, my staff who have been friends as well as brilliant servants of the country.
Above all, I want to thank Sarah for her unwavering support as well as her love and for her own service to our country.
I thank my sons John and Fraser for the love and joy they bring our lives.
And as I leave the second most important job I could ever hold, I cherish even more the first as a husband and father.
Thank you and goodbye”
a terrible day for the uk
Oh well, I could see it coming…
Basically, Labour has imploded in on itself.
At least the LibDems (if they are smart) will ensure a fair number of their policies get into the government’s “cake-mix”.
Interesting times ahead. At least, David Cameron does not seem to have the anti-social edge that Thatcher and her jihadi monetarist crew had, so we shall see if he can sort out the economy while keeping the country together.
I am glad I don’t suffer from AATS (Acquired Anti-Tory Syndrome), but I shall hold this government to account, just like any other before & after it.
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The Labour party haven’t imploded on itself yet, not saying it won’t, but it hasn’t yet.
If the Labour party can hold itself together and things go wrong in the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government (have to admit I never saw that coming before the election, I’m impressed by David Cameron) we could see an election in under 2 years and if as I suspect the country will punish whichever party is in power as the real pain is felt from the world banking crisis/credit crunch/recession we could see the Labour party back in power.
Lots of ifs and buts, though even if the coalition government brings in it’s proposed 5 year fixed term government I can not see under the current economic problems the country electing the Conservatives twice after 5 years of public sector spending cuts etc…
I would bet money on an increase in VAT after the Tories budget just weeks from now and when the crap hits the fan from cuts in public sector spending they are going to pay for it at the next general election and as they couldn’t even manage a majority when Labour pretty much handed the election to them after a perceived 13 years of disaster (it wasn’t a disaster, but that’s the perception many of the electorate have)!!!
I can’t see a scenario where the electorate will be content (happier than they are now) after a few years of Conservative rule. I’ll add this would have been just as true if Labour won out right, Lib Dems run outright and anything in between.
The electorate will always blame the sitting government and the government right not is Conservative/Liberal Democrat.
As I said right after the election I wanted the Conservatives to take government so they take the blame for the economic pain we are about to suffer. Had Labour remained in power it would have been the final nail in the coffin of Labour and they would not be electable for a generation, now Labour can prepare for the next election with an age of austerity under the Tories belt and possibly win.
David
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I admire your pluck.
Today is not a day for being ungenerous; Tony, Gordon & co. really did do their best to improve Britain, with some measurable success (& failure too, even you must concede).
I wish Gord well in his future endeavours.
I also wish Dave & Nick well in their joined-at-the-hip future careers in government.
I also wish you a good 5 years under this administration (I like your website :-) ).
Forgive me – I think I’ve caught that Positive Nick-Dave bug… !
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