The Hindu : Front Page : Blair makes way for Brown

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Thursday, Jun 28, 2007
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Blair makes way for Brown

Hasan Suroor

Brown promises “new era” in British politics, says he will “listen and learn”

Tony Blair quits parliamentary seat too
Named special envoy to West Asia

Photo: AFP

Tony Blair who resigned as British Prime Minister on Wednesday.

LONDON: A unique political double act in British politics came to an end on Wednesday as Tony Blair finally yielded centre stage, handing the keys of No 10 Downing Street to Gordon Brown, who had been waiting for this moment since the two created New Labour from the ashes of the “old” back in the mid-1990s.

Mr. Brown, 56, his lifelong ambition realised, moved into Downing Street as Britain’s 52nd Prime Minister, minutes after the Queen invited him to form a new government following Mr. Blair’s resignation.

Mr. Blair, who was named the international community’s special envoy to West Asia, also resigned his Parliamentary seat, bringing to a close a political career spanning nearly a quarter of a century though, in the end, marred by his decision to invade Iraq.

Booed by protesters

Photo: AP

New home: Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah outside 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday.

As he left Downing Street for the last time, he was booed by anti-war protesters demanding the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq. The issue is seen as a major test of Mr. Brown’s leadership.

It was almost revolving doors at Buckingham Palace with Mr. Blair leaving after his last official meeting with the Queen, and Mr. Brown walking in for his first audience with her — all in a space of 15 minutes.

In his first public comment after assuming office, Mr. Brown promised to “listen and learn” and work to restore public “trust” in government, in what was seen as a rebuke to Mr. Blair’s controversial “presidential” style. There were no cheering crowds when Mr. Brown and his wife, Sarah, drove into Downing Street, prompting comparisons with the Blairs’ “triumphant” entry in 1997.

In a businesslike statement, the freshly-minted Prime Minister said it would be a “new government with new priorities.” “And now let the work of change begin,” he added before disappearing behind the famous black door.

Mr. Brown, one of Britain’s most successful Chancellors, was waiting for the top job since 1994 when he let Mr. Blair take over as Labour leader, paving the way for him to become Prime Minister in 1997.

Standing ovation

Mr. Blair got a standing ovation as he made his last appearance in the Commons, admitting that he had “never pretended to be a great House of Commons man,” alluding to criticism that he did not take Parliament seriously.

His family watched from the public gallery as MPs from across the political divide praised his “achievements,” especially his success in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.

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