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Power Shift

DW staff with wire reports (jam)June 24, 2007

After 13 years of waiting for the job, Gordon Brown is finally smiling. Britain's treasury chief replaced Tony Blair as leader of the Labour Party Sunday, days before he takes over as British prime minister.

https://p.dw.com/p/Azsb
Brown and wife Sarah arrive at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, England, on Sunday for the special Labour leadership conferenceImage: AP

Gordon Brown was confirmed Sunday as the new leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, three days before he succeeds Tony Blair as prime minister.

Blair introduced Brown as the new "leader of our party, very soon to be leader of our country" at a Labour Party conference in Manchester, northwest England, after the 56-year-old finance minister had been elected unopposed.

Blair said the party had proved wrong those who suggested there could not be an orderly transition of power before a beaming Brown accepted his new role "with humility and pride," saying: "leadership is an awesome responsibility."

Brown takes over from Blair, who served as leader since 1994 and restyled Labour from an unfashionable left-wing party riven by self-destructive infighting into an electable center-left proposition.

Long-serving minister

The chancellor of the exchequer, a father-of-two from Scotland, served continuously in the post during Blair's 10 years in power, making him the longest serving British finance minister without interruption in history.

Großbritannien Tony Blair gibt Rücktritt bekannt Gordon Brown Auto
Brown has been waiting a long time for this jobImage: AP

Brown's election came after two prospective candidates who wanted to stand against him failed to muster enough support from parliamentary colleagues to have their names put on the ballot.

He will take over as premier on Wednesday. In Britain, the head of the largest party in parliament becomes prime minister. Governing parties can change leader mid-term without a general election having to be called.

The announcement at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester was met with thunderous applause from delegates packed into the concert venue.

More serious style

Brown, whose media image is of an unsmiling serious-minded minister, beamed as the result was announced with his wife Sarah looking on.

Großbritannien Tony Blair gibt Rücktritt bekannt Gordon Brown
Their styles are differentImage: AP

In a move to distance himself from the cosy "sofa politics" associated with Blair's "inner circle" government, Brown has pledged to bring in outsiders and rule with a government "of all the talents."

"I do not believe politics is about celebrity," Brown has stated in an ill-concealed jibe at the Blair years, which were dominated by spin, a relaxed style and close associations with the world of rock, pop and film.

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