Breaking: Gordon Brown Resigns

He goes to Buckingham Palace to tell the Queen and advise that she call David Cameron and ask him to form a government.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition will take over.

The questions will be what is the deal that was cut and who gets what Cabinet positions.

The British system is really amazing. Brown and his family left 10 Downing (where they've lived for years) and that's it, they don't go back. They don't have to go home but they can't go back there. Amazing how swiftly it happens.

There was talk that the Conservatives and Lib-Dem might have a fixed term, that is, they promise to vote for a certain number of years with the Conservatives but it seems unlikely that they will be able to make this last very long.

The Lib-Dems seem to be an unruly bunch., How long can Clegg hold them together? It seems the answer will come when we know when the reported referendum on electoral reform is held. It seems once the Lib-Dems get that, they'll want out and test how much they benefit from it (assuming it passes). If it doesn't pass, they'll probably want out then too.

Interesting note: The deal isn't formally done between the Conservatives and the Lib-Dems. The thought was Brown would wait and then resign to continue a continuity of government. Brown seems to have jumped the gun. Bit of pique on the way out the door?

Really freaky part of the Brit system...there's no Prime Minister right now. He resigns, chats for awhile with Liz and then she calls Cameron to pop in. Until then, there's no government. In the US, the President elect becomes President at Noon, whether or not the oath has been taken. There's no second when we don't have a President.

Brown just left the Palace after a 15 minute audience.

Reports are Brown will 'resign' from the House of Commons. Freaky Brit government factoid...you can't resign from the House of Commons. What they do is appoint a member who wants out to one of two BS titles. Since you can't hold a seat in the Commons and a position under the Crown, out you go.

Cameron has 'kissed hands' with the Queen and is now Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Sounds like the Conservatives are giving up their tax policy of cutting inheritance taxes and marriage taxes. Instead they will go with the Lib Dems plan of removing taxes on anyone making under 10,000 Pounds.

Full coalition which means Lib Dem ministers.

Strange, strange stuff.

Cameron said in his speech in front of 10 Downing said he thinks the country's "best days are ahead". That's a stock phrase in the US and it's believable. For the UK? Not so much. Great Britain used to rule the world. That's not coming back. Ever.

posted by DrewM. at 02:23 PM

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