After a day of frenetic developments, Prime Minister Gordon Brown resigned late on Tuesday to clear the way for a Conservative-Liberal Democrat government, headed by Conservative leader David Cameron. Earlier, talks between Labour and the Lib Dems collapsed barely hours after they started in the morning amid reports of a split in the Cabinet over how a “coalition of losers” would play with voters.
PTI adds
59-year-old Brown tendered his resignation on the ground that he cannot command a majority in the House of Commons after the May 6 hung verdict, ending the Labour Party’s record 13 years in office.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Mr. Brown said his party gave up attempts to form a government with the Liberal Democrats.
Mr. Brown suggested that Mr. Cameron should take over as the next Prime Minister.
In a voice slightly cracking with emotion, Mr. Brown also resigned as leader of the Labour Party with immediate effect.
After the announcement, Mr. Brown, his wife Sarah and two sons travelled to the Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen and formally tender his resignation.
After Mr. Brown’s meeting with the Queen, Mr. Cameron will be invited to the Palace for a meeting with the Queen and begin the process of new government formation.
