UK: Conservatives back in the saddle after 13 years
12 May 2010
Conservative party leader, David Cameron, is the new British prime minister. In a day of fast moving developments British prime minister Gordon Brown finally bid farewell to 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of British prime ministers, after facing a virtual revolt from senior party members and cabinet ministers over his attempts to cobble together a coalition with the Liberal Democrats and stick onto power. Cameron, as per custom, went and met reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II who invited him to form the next government.
After meeting the Queen, David Cameron, in company with wife Samantha, then moved into 10 Downing Street.
At 43, Cameron becomes Britain's youngest prime minister since Lord Liverpool in 1812.
Earlier, outgoing Labour prime minister Gordon Brown bid a tearful farewell at the same place and exited with his wife and kids in tow. His departure marked the end of 13 years of uninterrupted Labour rule ushered in by Labour party leader Tony Blair.
Upon arrival at 10 Downing Street Cameron immediately struck a John F Kennedy-like note when he asked his countrymen not to ask 'just what you are owed, but what can I give'.
He warned that the country faced 'deep and pressing problems', but promised that a 'proper and full coalition' government with the Liberal Democrats would focus on 'rebuilding family, rebuilding community and above all rebuilding responsibility in our country'.
