'Time for a change' says new prime minister
Gordon Brown moves into No 10
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Wednesday, 27, Jun 2007 04:16
Gordon Brown is the UK's new prime minister.
Standing in Downing Street, Mr Brown confirmed he had accepted the Queen's invitation to form a government.
The new prime minister promised to lead a government of all the talents and spoke of the need for change within politics.
He arrived outside No 10 with his wife Sarah Brown after a 50 minute meeting with the Queen following Tony Blair's long-anticipated resignation this afternoon.
In a brief acceptance speech, Mr Brown repeated his unofficial leadership mantra to listen and learn to the British public.
Mr Brown said: "And as prime minister I will continue to listen and learn from the British people. I have heard the need for change.
"Change in our NHS, change in our schools, change with affordable housing, change to build trust in government, change to protect and extend the British way of life.
Mr Brown is expected to push for constitutional reform, including a fresh debate on what it means to be British.
He said today: "I am convinced that there is no weakness in Britain today that cannot be overcome by the strengths of the British people."
Before entering Number 10 for the first time as prime minister, Mr Brown repeated his old school motto: "I promise to do my utmost".
As the new prime minister prepared to finalise his first Cabinet, Mr Brown repeated the promise he would lead a government that "reaches out beyond narrow party interest".
Mr Brown invited senior Liberal Democrats into his government, although Paddy Ashdown publicly rejected his offer of Northern Ireland secretary.
He received an early boost on the eve of his leadership, however, with the defection of Tory backbencher Quentin Davies.
Mr Davies launched a scathing attack on David Cameron's "superficial" leadership and said Mr Brown offered a "clear vision" for the future.
Mr Brown reportedly wooed the former Tory shadow Cabinet minister over the course of five meetings, although his public statement was held back until the eve of Mr Brown's leadership.