Blair Hands Top U.K. Job To Gordon Brown

Blair Resigns, Brown Takes Over As Prime Minister In Separate Meetings With Queen

(CBS/AP)  Gordon Brown ended a decade-long wait to become prime minister Wednesday, stepping out of Tony Blair's shadow determined to heal divisions over the unpopular Iraq war as he brings a sober new tone to the government.

Blair departed to rousing applause and even some tears from lawmakers after presiding over a decade of rapid social change and economic prosperity but also rancor over Iraq. He now takes on the daunting role as envoy for the U.S., U.N., European Union and Russia in their Mideast peace efforts.

Brown, who first vied with Blair to lead the Labour Party in 1994 and served as Treasury chief the past 10 years, smiled broadly as he left a meeting at Buckingham Palace during which Queen Elizabeth II asked him to form a new government, the ceremonial transfer of power.

Brown has been running Britain’s booming economy for the past decade as Tony Blair’s most senior cabinet minister, reports CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer. Brown and Blair started out as friends, but over the years have become bitter rivals, competing for power. Now, at last, Blair, the charismatic master of spin, has given way to Brown, the sober technocrat.

Having departed the Treasury in a modest sedan with his wife, Sarah, Brown swept back to the prime minister's official residence at No. 10 Downing Street in a sleek prime ministerial limousine.

"I remember words that have stayed with me since my childhood and which matter a great deal today — my school motto — 'I will try my utmost'," he told reporters massed outside his new office. "This is my promise to all of the people of Britain and now let the work of change begin."

Known for an often stern demeanor that paled against the bright smile of his personable predecessor, the 56-year-old Brown has promised to sweep aside the Blair era and restore trust in a government weakened by deep public anger over Iraq.

"I have listened and I have learned from the British people — and as prime minister I will continue to listen and learn from the British people," Brown said in an interview published Wednesday by the Daily Mirror.

"This need for change cannot be met by the old politics so I will reach out," he added.

Nervous and smiling awkwardly, Brown tightly grasped his wife's hand to guide her through the black front door of the prime minister's residence, where he will begin working on his legislative agenda and prepare for a parliamentary election that must be held by 2010.

President Bush, who counted Blair as his most steadfast ally, was the first world leader to offer his congratulations in a phone call soon after Brown's appointment, Downing Street said.

Their 10-minute talk was "cordial and constructive," said Brown's official spokesman, Michael Ellam. He declined to specify if the leaders discussed Iraq.

Brown also held brief telephone chats with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Premier Romano Prodi. And he spoke with David Cameron, leader of the resurgent opposition Conservative Party, Ellam said.

Blair, who led Labour as it won three successive election victories for the first time in its history, was visibly emotional during a final weekly question session with legislators.

He said he was sorry for the perils faced by British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but gave no apology for siding with the United States in taking military action, saying he believes it is a necessary fight against forces that seek to destroy the Western way of life.

"I wish everyone — friend or foe — well. And that is that. The end," he said before leaving the House of Commons chamber.

Legislators rose to their feet and gave Blair rapturous applause as he left to ceremonially offer his resignation to the queen. Some lawmakers, including Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, dabbed at tears.

"Tony's had a great run and history will judge him kindly," Bush told Britain's The Sun tabloid in remarks published Wednesday. "I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that."

Blair, 54, took the one-mile ride with his wife, Cherie, from Downing Street to the palace in a chauffeur-driven, armor-plated silver limousine. He left with a private gift from the monarch.

He later took a train to northern England, where he told officials in the district he represents in Parliament that he will resign the seat. While he was en route, the Quartet of Mideast peace mediators named him as its new envoy in the region.

In a statement later, Brown praised Blair's selection, saying he had long demonstrated his commitment to peace for the Middle East. "The Middle East peace process is one of our top priorities and we will obviously continue to support the Quartet and their new envoy in their work," Brown said.

Brown, beginning the job he has long craved, must woo Britons by shaking off criticism for backing Britain's decision to participate in the Iraq war.

A small group of protesters — including families of soldiers killed in Iraq — was allowed through police lines onto Downing Street to greet Brown with a chorus of jeers.

"We asked him politely to come and speak to us. He didn't," said Rose Gentle, whose son Pvt. Gordon Gentle died in 2004. "If he has ignored us once then I think he will continue to ignore us."

Other onlookers, such as Judith Brown, a 25-year-old student from Belfast, Northern Ireland, wanted to wish Blair a fond farewell. "I think it's romantic," she said. "It's the end of an era. I'm hoping he might shed a tear or two."

Brown will seek to head off a challenge from a revived Conservative Party. Polls already point to a "Brown bounce," with one survey putting Labour ahead of its rival for the first time since October.

The new prime minister planned to announce appointments to senior Cabinet posts, including the roles of foreign secretary and Treasury chief, on Thursday, Ellam said. The spokesman declined to discuss media reports that Beckett had been told she will be replaced as foreign secretary.

Few expected Brown to be greeted with public enthusiasm, and his ascension was widely seen as a political gift for Cameron, the more affable Conservative leader.

But Blair's last full day in office Tuesday brought an unexpected present — the defection of a Conservative legislator to Labour. The move put Brown in bullish mood and he will now weigh calling a national election as early as next summer.

Most closely watched will be Brown's policy on Iraq. British troop numbers there have rapidly fallen this year, and Blair left his successor an option to call back more of the remaining 5,500 soldiers by 2008. Brown confirmed Wednesday that 500 more will return soon.

The succession of Brown ends a partnership that began when he and Blair were elected to Parliament in 1983 — sharing an office and a vision to transform their leftist party's fortunes by moving it toward the political center.

It has been widely reported — but never confirmed — that the two agreed over dinner in 1994 that Brown would not run against Blair for Labour leader. In return, Blair reportedly promised that if he became prime minister he would give Brown broad powers as Treasury chief and step down after a reasonable time to give Brown a shot at the post.

Brown has finally won his chance. "This will be a new government with new priorities," he told reporters. "I have been privileged to have been granted the great opportunity to serve my country."

[drinuk]

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND INTO THE FIRE.

[grazinggoat]

Almost a century ago, another UK poodle has agreed on signing an accord known by the Balfour treaty permitting the 'return of Hebraics into the land of Palestine'. It was the start of a big wave of migration and refuge of Palestinians being replaced by European and Diaspora Jews. An irrevocable suffering for a whole region namely has been provoked by this people masses movement. Some may say it was inevitable. Some may agree with that, but some may well not.

-By accepting the Quartet envoy position, I wish this poodle Blair may provide reparation to the Palestinian People, without trunkating it from its root based representatives. Blair needs to work harder than ever to pay justice to the suffering People of Palestine and he knows it.

- I think that once he's out of office, he may be a good asset to the peace process, since his political position and political allies blindedly pressured him against the Palestinian and the Arabs positions and interest. Blair knows he cannot igonre ad vitam aeternam the plight of the Palestinians and he 'll take a different stand than before, neutrally favoring the Plaestinians this time. Or AM I DREAMING?

-He still wears a leash?

[endofempire]

The end is near. Maybe Canada will take me as a refugee when this country turns into a third world country. The enemy is within... Between the neo-coms (not a misspelling), a congress that is hell-bent in the destruction of our way of life and the NAACP, we maybe have another four good years. Long enough for my tri-lingual son to graduate from college... Yes, just in case he has taken some Mandarin and some Farsi. You should do likewise...

[noaanhc]

Some of the comments on here are coming from a bunch of psychopath lunatics who all need to seek
professional help for their mental disorders.
The way some of you discribe Tony Blair &
George Bush,you think these men are nothing but a reincarnation of Hitler or Stalin.

[tomflint69]

Thanks to God, Mr.Blair has gone!
Gordon is much more confident and stable than him. He has some vision in his eyes.

[bacardistuff]

Wow... I always liked Tony. I'll miss him.

[tylenol6]

TONY BLAIR: YOU ARE A WAR CRIMINAL AND A MURDERER.
ONE DAY YOU WILL BE HELD IN A CRIMINAL COURT AND
YOUR DAY OF JUDGEMENT WILL COME. YOU ALSO WILL ALWAYS BE BUSH'S POODLE. MAYBE IF YOUR LUCKY YOU
CAN BE RIGHT NEXT TO BUSH'S JAIL CELL.

[king77shaw]

good riddance Blair - you're a lying, war-for-profit puppet .. you should hang your head in shame - 3500 Americans, hundreds of Brits and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis have died needlessly for your BIG, war-mongering lies - Iraq being able to deploy weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes notice ... yeah right - hope to see you in the Hague.

[jasonking1001]

On the eve of the Iraq war, 1 million UK citizens demonstarted in London against the war. Tony Blair said if he and Bush didn't intervene another million Iraqis would be dead.

Well thanks, Tony. You're officially a war criminal, approximately 755,00o Iraqis dead.

He's hated in the UK, reviled i'd say. The only reason he is taking the job of Envoy is because this is his last chance of redemption. He doesn't sleep that well, the screams of dying Iraqis haunt him evry day. He tried to change religion, I think the pope told him where to go. Tony Blair is a vain man, make no mistake, he took on Iraq through vanity. I sincerely hope he succeeds in his new job, but that never substitute for him having the guts to admit he made one of the biggest mistakes this century in condemning hundreds of thousands of Iraqis to death.

[ajmarine1]

I really liked the guy. He's one sharp Brit.

Posted by hawksprings at 05:36 PM : Jun 27, 2007

I agree.

[middleman8]

His retirement present should have been a Suddam nicktie, and Bushes should be a Kennedy special.

[prinzowhales]

ImpeachNOW--A Democratic president is no guarantee that you will not have a neo-Con in office. Hillary is receiving support from the FOX-owner Ruppert Murdoch and heartily supports their pro-war policy against Iran. Only Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich offer a genuine anti-war position. On the Republican side--Ron Paul stands alone, opposing through ten terms as a Congressman the kind of things the Neo-cons champion.

[hawksprings]

Although I did not agree with Mr. Blair's political views, I really liked the guy. He's one sharp Brit.

[feelfree1]

I did not mean to write 'poopdle' but it is an amusing and appropriate typo, if I may say so.

Tony Blair is a Zionist poodle. His depravity is in no way limited to his subsevrvience to the Bush-puppet.

[bequialife]

Now if only Bush would resign. The world would be better off

[bequialife]

Now if only Bush would resign. The world would be better off

[aaabee-2009]

HEADS UP - Immigration bill may be a BACK DOOR to
elect a PRESIDENT who was not BORN inthe USA
Posted by USAwatchman at 01:16 PM : Jun 27, 2007

Cool, Cal Governor Arnold (cannot spell his last name) can throw his shoe in the '08 ring along with every other politician loose in America.

What, you thinking Putin, Fidel, Umbutu, who are you afraid of? Can you think of anyone who has done more damage to this country than Bush, who's from the US?

[feelfree1]

Now the disgusting and bloodthirsty poopdle, Tony Blair, will be available to face war crimes charges.

Great news!

[usawatchman]

HEADS UP - Immigration bill may be a BACK DOOR to
elect a PRESIDENT who was not BORN inthe USA

[donnie900]

My United States of America is the new empire, and you can't stand it.