Gordon Brown has announced he is resigning as UK prime minister.
Mr Brown is on his way to officially tender his resignation to the Queen, and recommend that Conservative leader David Cameron should succeed him.
Speaking alongside his wife Sarah outside No 10 Downing Street, he said the job had been “a privilege” and wished his successor well.
His decision comes as the Tories and Liberal Democrats are poised to agree a deal to form a government.
Labour’s attempts to negotiate a deal of their own with the Lib Dems, after last week’s inconclusive election result, ended in failure on Tuesday.
Mr Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister in June 2007 after spending ten years as chancellor of the exchequer.
In an emotional farewell speech outside No 10, Mr Brown said he had “loved the job” and it had been “a privilege to serve”.
“I wish the next prime minister well as he makes the important choices for the future,” he said.
His two young sons joined him and wife Sarah for his brief statement which ended with the words: “Thank you and goodbye.”
His resignation follows Thursday’s general election in which no party won an overall majority but the Conservatives won the most seats and votes.
Both Labour and the Tories have since been trying to persuade the Lib Dems to join them in a coalition government to run the country.
Mr Brown had previously said he would resign as Labour leader, but stay on as prime minister until September, if Labour could agree a deal with the Lib Dems.
Before making his announcement, Mr Brown consulted with his wife Sarah and close colleagues including Lord Mandelson, Douglas Alexander, Ed Balls and Ed Miliband.
Mr Brown also spoke to former prime minister Tony Blair by phone.
Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee has indicated it wants Mr Brown’s successor as leader to be chosen as soon as possible, possibly by the end of July.
(Source: BBC)
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3 Responses
Does anyone know if Cameron Is pro israel? I imagine he is since hes part of the conservative party. I cant really find a article on it
1. The Liberal Democrats (originally the Liberals, before that the Whigs – they go back almost 400 years) tend to be less inclined to be friendly to the United States and Israel, however they are the “junior” partner in the coalition, and are focused on changing the election system that has consistently seen them get over 20% of the vote, but never more than 10% of the seats.
2. Labor (the Socialists) did lose. That is all that is clear from the election.
3. The Conservatives (also known as the “Tories” who likewise go back about 400 years) may have inherited a disasterous economic situation since they’ll have to make unpopular budget cuts. This may be a good time to be in opposition.
Good riddance to Gordon Brown!! Now let’s try and fix up the mess that they have left us in!!!