New UK Prime Minister David Cameron – the youngest since 1812 and the first Conservative leader since 1997 – has moved quickly to seal his new coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats.Their leader, Nick Clegg, 43, will become the deputy prime
New UK Prime Minister David Cameron – the youngest since 1812 and the first Conservative leader since 1997 – has moved quickly to seal his new coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats.
Their leader, Nick Clegg, 43, will become the deputy prime minister and an official statement confirms the Lib Dems will have four other cabinet posts.
On entering 10 Downing Street, Mr Cameron, 43, said he would form a “proper and full coalition” with the Lib-Dems, whose 57 seats he needs to have a majority in the House of Commons after last week’s election delivered a “hung Parliament.”
Mr Cameron described the country as has having “deep and depressing problems,” adding that he promisesd to be "honest about what government can achieve" and pledged to build a more "responsible society."
In his first decision as PM, Mr Cameron appointed George Osborne as Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister). Liam Fox will be defence secretary.
Mr Cameron has received personal congratulations by telephone from both US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Mr Cameron accepted the appointment from the Queen when Labour leader Gordon Brown resigned as prime minister earlier today (NZ time) after losing the election to the higher-polling Tories. He has also stood down as the party's leader.
Messrs Cameron and Clegg will lead the UK's first full coalition government since World War II.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Brown for providing "strong leadership during challenging times," in the words of President Obama.
In his resignation announcement, Mr Brown said:
"Only those who have held the office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities and it's great capacity for good. I have been privileged to learn much about the very best of human nature and fair amount too about its frailties, including my own."
The announcement on the steps of 10 Downing Street broke a post-election political stalemate that has lasted for five days, mostly taken up by negotiations centered on the Lib Dems, who held the balance of power.
