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| Britain |
| Brown replaces Blair |
| 2007-06-28 |
| Finance minister Gordon Brown took over yesterday as British prime minister from Tony Blair, vowing after a decade in Blair's shadow to lead an era of "change". While Blair, his reputation as a reformer tainted by the Iraq war, was expected to become a Middle East peace envoy, Brown highlighted his determination to stamp his own authority after being asked by Queen Elizabeth II to form a new government. Brown pledged in his first public comments to lead a "new government with new priorities." He said he wanted to "build trust" in the government and reject "old politics" as he showed his determination to make a break with the Blair years. "Now let the work of change begin," he declared outside his Downing Street office. The handover came shortly after Blair was given a standing ovation in the House of Commons at his last appearance before heading off to tender his resignation to the monarch. "That is that. The end," Blair said, choking back emotion, as he concluded his last question-and-answer session and listened to many tributes to his 10 years in office marked by a booming economy as well as the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. Even as he bowed out Blair fuelled speculation that he will become an envoy for the Middle East Quartet -- the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations -- saying a two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. "I believe it is possible to do that but it will require a huge intensity of focus and work," added Blair, who had Brown, a political ally turned rival, sat at his side. Blair told lawmakers he was "sorry" for the danger faced by soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, two of the most controversial decisions of his premiership. But he was defiant, refusing to accept critics' views that British troops are fighting in vain. "I don't and I never will. I believe they're fighting for the security of this country and wider world against people who would destroy our way of life," he said. Most of the session was taken up with plaudits from lawmakers from his own Labour party and Conservatives and Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley, whose recent election climaxed one of Blair's biggest achievements. Paisley wished Blair well in any Middle East role, drawing a parallel with the reconciliation between Protestants and Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland. "I hope that what happened in Northern Ireland will be repeated," he said, calling it a "colossal task" for Blair. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 It shouldn't be about labor and tories, it should be about the bloody stench known as Islam in your midst. Good luck to you, UK. |
| Posted by: wxjames 2007-06-28 12:28 |
| #2 Gordon Brown: John Major without the zest for life. Fortunately for "New" Labour, the Tory field is weak. Unfortunately for the UK, and for the free world, we cannot afford this now. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-06-28 10:01 |
| #1 The world looks on with bated breath. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2007-06-28 08:23 |