Brown promises honest leadership

Updated 17.59 Thu May 17 2007

Keywords: Gordon Brown, Labour

Gordon Brown, who was earlier confirmed as the next Prime Minister, has promised a new style of government.

He said he is going to rebuild trust in a demoralised and unpopular Labour Party after a decade of Tony Blair.

"I will lead a new government with new priorities. It is about a different type of politics, a more open and honest dialogue" - Gordon Brown

But Mr Brown said he was not announcing any shift in London's relationship with Washington, despite public anger over Mr Blair's unwavering support for President George W Bush over Iraq.

After being named as Labour's sole leadership candidate, Mr Brown said: "I will lead a new government with new priorities. It is about a different type of politics, a more open and honest dialogue."

He pledged to restore public trust in politicians, to listen and learn and to make health and education his top priorities.

Thursday marks the culmination of an agonising 13-year wait for Mr Brown to become Labour leader.

The leader of the ruling party automatically takes over as Prime Minister, but not until Mr Blair resigns on June 27.

Mr Brown inherits a party and a country divided by the Iraq war and disillusioned after a decade of Mr Blair.

He will have his work cut out to ensure a fourth straight Labour victory in the next national election due by 2010 at the latest.

Mr Brown said he was "truly humbled" by the level of support he had received from fellow Labour MPs.

John McDonnell accepted that it was "mathematically impossible" for him to secure the 45 nominations by Labour MPs needed to go forward as a candidate and force a contested election.

Mr Brown's campaign manager Jack Straw said that he was "delighted" at the way the party had rallied round the Chancellor.

"We are delighted that the party is uniting behind Gordon and giving him such overwhelming support," he said.

In the deputy leadership race, Education Secretary Alan Johnson reaffirmed his position as the election favourite, with 70 nominations by last night.

International Development Secretary Hilary Benn's team said last night that he had finally made it on to the ballot paper with 45, after earlier appearing to struggle. Left-wing backbench hopeful Jon Cruddas was also safe with 46.

Of the others, Justice Minister Harriet Harman was running second with 63, with Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain on 50 and Labour Party Chairman Hazel Blears on 49.