Gordon Brown resigns as UK prime minister [It's official / on his way to the Queen]

BBC News Online ^ | Tuesday, 11 May 2010 | BBC

[wolf78]

Gordon Brown has announced he is resigning as UK prime minister.

Mr Brown is on his way to officially tender his resignation to the Queen, and recommend that Conservative leader David Cameron should succeed him.

Speaking alongside his wife Sarah outside No 10 Downing Street, he said the job had been "a privilege" and wished his successor well.

His decision comes as the Tories and Liberal Democrats are poised to agree a deal to form a government.

Labour's attempts to negotiate a deal of their own with the Lib Dems, after last week's inconclusive election result, ended in failure on Tuesday.

Mr Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister in June 2007 after spending ten years as chancellor of the exchequer.

[wolf78]

David Cameron en route to Buckingham Palace now.

[Paladin2]

"..the Monster Raving Loony Party (yes, it exists) .."

Party down dude.

[DesertRhino]

The fact remains,,,England is not to be taken seriously as long as that type of government exists.

[SamAdams76]

I long for the days of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Please get the time machine invented soon...

[C19fan]

I suppose France with how many republics is a serious country???

[AU72]

QE II knows what to do.

The wild card would King Charles.

[C19fan]

The last time something like that happened was early in Queen Victoria’s reign.

[Gay State Conservative]

Bad news.The Tories will take the brunt of the blame for the coming financial collapse.

That's what at least one British pundit said the other day.It seems that it's widely believed that it won't be much more than a year before the next election and the PM's party will be destroyed in that election....regardless of who that PM is.

[JRandomFreeper]

but actual governing by a monarch is *insane* for a modern western nation.

Take a look at the US Congress, and think about what you just said.

At least the monarchy has a sense of decorum (think Ted Kennedy and a cast of hundreds).

/johnny

[wolf78]

How in hell does she claim such power?

In short: Divine Right. As her title says, she's Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith (full title: Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith,[2] Duchess of Edinburgh, Countess of Merioneth, Baroness Greenwich,[N 1] Duke of Lancaster, Lord of Mann, Duke of Normandy, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Garter, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, Sovereign of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order, Sovereign of the Imperial Service Order, Sovereign of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Sovereign of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Sovereign of the Order of British India, Sovereign of the Indian Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of Burma, Sovereign of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII, Sovereign of the Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order, Sovereign of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.)

England really cannot claim to be a free nation. “Royalty” for parades, tourism and such, i get,,, but actual governing by a monarch is *insane* for a modern western nation.

The monarch doesn't actually govern. Even the queen's speeches are being written by the ruling party. But it's a question of respect. Even if all the choices of the queen are pre-determined by the democratic government, she still gets to choose (the one possible option presented to her).

What if the old bat refuses to invite Cameron or something? What if she goes senile? (happened before)

Then it will be handled discretely (e.g. she will effectively be forced to abdicate, as was the case with the queen's uncle).

[darkangel82]

“”Oh, let’s go with the Monster Raving Loony Party”

Labour?

[agere_contra]

Why would he have power to do anything other than recommend?

You may be missing an important detail in this whole "resigned from office" thing.

Gordon Brown is no longer the head of Government, because he has resigned from office. He's stopped being the Prime Minister.

[DesertRhino]

France smokes england, governmentally.

[US Navy Vet]

Great Britain needs an Oliver Cromwell now more than EVER!

[GeronL]

It is not going to be pretty

[DesertRhino]

LOL,, funny title. And “divine right”,, even funnier! Ok,,, i can’t win this if you believe that the lord himself appointed the queen! Snicker,,,

“But it’s a question of respect”.

For unearned illegitimate (unless you think she was seated by God) power? Sure,,,,

[Leo Farnsworth]

Try to say these things to a Brit.

You'll get your head split.

Show some respect. She's a decent person, and loved by ten of millions of Britons.

You, on the other hand, are not.

[Clemenza]

This thread is useless without pics...

[DesertRhino]

And i love when people claim she is there by divine right,,, and then also say her political power is nil in reality. Well which is it? Did God put here there? If so, it follows that she should be free to exercise power.

As Thomas Paine pointed out,, If the monarch is placed there BY GOD himself, why would there be a need to check their power at all? That’s literally checking the will of God.

Divine right indeed. She’s no more legitimate than a Romanov Czar, a Kaiser, or Soviet leader. Her methods may slightly differ, but her claim to power bears the same illegitimacy.

[vimto]

From the UK - you are on the nail there! Labour have really cut and run to regroup. Will Cameron have the savvy to outwit them? The economic future of the UK depends on a strong Conservative government.

I fear we are too liberal/lefty over here to do what needs to be done. Greece here we come.... but I support Cameron, a Rino by US standards for sure, but the best we have. Watch this space.......

Kind regards,