Brown becomes British PM as Blair gets Mideast job
Pastor Dale Morgan
Thursday June 28, 1:42 AM
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Brown becomes British PM as Blair gets Mideast job*
Gordon Brown took over from Tony Blair as British prime minister
Wednesday, finally stepping out of his predecessor's shadow after 10
years and vowing to lead the country into a new era of change.
Within hours Blair announced his resignation as a lawmaker, as the
United Nations confirmed his appointment as international envoy to the
Middle East.
Brown, who has been Blair's finance minister since 1997, pledged to lead
a "new government with new priorities" after being asked to form the
next government by Queen Elizabeth II.
"At all times I will be strong in purpose, steadfast in will, resolute
in action in the service of what matters to the British people, meeting
the concerns and aspirations of the whole country," he said.
Flanked by his wife Sarah outside the prime minister's official
residence at number 10 Downing Street, Brown pledged to "listen and
learn", to implement changes in areas like health and education and
build trust in government.
With a wave, the former chancellor of the exchequer (finance minister)
then disappeared into number 10 for the first time as prime minister, to
finalise his senior ministerial appointments.
Announcements were expected later Wednesday and Thursday, with a major
reshuffle expected.
Blair meanwhile headed to his Sedgefield constituency in north-east
England, where he was to formally tell local Labour Party members that
he would be stepping down as a lawmaker after 24 years.
His decision to resign as a member of parliament was confirmed by the
Treasury, minutes after the United Nations in New York confirmed Blair's
nomination as Mideast envoy.
"Following discussions among the principals, today the quartet dealing
with the Middle East is announcing the appointment of Tony Blair as the
quartet's representative," UN spokeswoman Michele Montas told a press
briefing.
But Blair had left little doubt about his plans earlier in the day,
refusing to confirm his appointment but saying a two-state solution in
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an "absolute priority."
"I believe it is possible to do that but it will require a huge
intensity of focus and work," he told the lower house of parliament.
Blair's last appearance as premier before the House of Commons ended
with loud applause and a rare standing ovation before he headed to
Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation.
"That is that. The end," Blair said, choking back emotion, after
listening to a string of tributes to his decade in power that was marked
by a booming economy but mired in controversy over the 2003 US-led
invasion of Iraq.
On Iraq and Afghanistan, where British troops are still stationed, Blair
was defiant to the last, refusing to agree with critics that the troops
were 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.
After anti-war protesters outside Downing Street jeered Blair's
departure, Brown made no mention of Iraq Wednesday, but has said that
"mistakes have been made" there.
Most of Blair's last parliamentary session saw him praised from across
the political divide.
Northern Ireland's First Minister Ian Paisley, whose recent election
climaxed one of Blair's biggest achievements, wished him well in any
Middle East role, although called it a "collosal task".
He draw a parallel with the reconciliation between Protestants and Roman
Catholics in Northern Ireland, adding: "I hope that what happened in
Northern Ireland will be repeated."
White House spokesman Tony Snow led the international tributes,
describing Blair's relationship with US President George W. Bush as
"extraordinary".
Blair, who became premier in 1997 after a landslide Labour general
election victory, paid tribute to the very lawmakers who have assailed
him at the weekly prime minister's questions.
"Some may belittle politics but we know who are engaged in it that it is
where people stand and fall," he said. "If it is on occasion the place
of low skullduggery it is more often the place for the pursuit of noble
causes."
Brown took over from Blair as Labour Party leader on Sunday and has
until May 2010 at the latest to call a general election, although
opposition parties want him to call one immediately.
The man dubbed the "Iron Chancellor" stewarded Britain through record
economic expansion. But his serious style is a marked contrast to
Blair's eloquent and easy, media-friendly persona.
Rows between the two have dominated the media here amid claims Brown
repeatedly accused Blair of reneging on a deal to stand down sooner.
He is widely seen as more sceptical of integration with the European
Union and more cautious in his relations with Washington.