Emerging from Blair's shadow, Brown promises change

Gordon Brown, an ardent admirer of India, on Wednesday took over as Britain's new prime minister, promising to usher in 'change' and pursue 'new priorities,' in clear signals of a break with the policies of Tony Blair.

"Now let the work of change begin," he declared before entering 10 Downing Street, marking an end to the tumultuous decade-long Blair rule.

The 56-year-old Labour leader said he wanted to 'build trust' in the government and reject 'old politics.'

With Brown at helm, there are expectations that relations between New Delhi and London would develop further as the Labour leader recently asserted that the two countries can work in unison to 'play critical role as partners in addressing the great challenges of our times.'

Earlier, flanked by his wife Sarah, the Chancellor of Exchequer for the last 10 years, had a rare 55-minute audience with Queen Elizabeth II shortly after Blair submitted his resignation to the monarch.

Brown, who is the 11th prime minister appointed by Queen Elizabeth II, headed straight to his new home and offices at 10 Downing Street.

"I have just accepted the invitation of Her Majesty the Queen to form a government. This will be new government with new priorities," he said in his first public comments after assuming the top post.

Brown, who took over from Blair as Labour Party leader on Sunday, said he had while travelling around the country heard the need for change in health service, schools and bringing affordable housing.

"This need for change cannot be met by the old politics. So, I will reach out beyond narrow party interest," said Brown, who rose from an academic to become the prime minister, capping his 24-year political career.

"On this day I remember words that have stayed with me since my childhood and which matter a great deal to me today -- my school motto: I will try my utmost."

The handover came shortly after Blair was given a standing ovation by lawmakers on his last appearance in the House of Commons before putting in his papers.

Concluding his final question-and-answer session, an emotional Blair said: "That is that. The end."

Members paid tributes to his 10 years in office, but Blair, whose decision to send troops to Iraq is widely believed to have cost him his prime ministership, remained defiant till the last moment.

Blair said he was 'sorry' for the danger faced by soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan but refused to accept critics' views that British troops are fighting in vain.

"I do not and I never will. I believe they are fighting for the security of this country and wider world against people who would destroy our way of life," Blair said.

With Brown sitting by his side, Blair, who became prime minister in 1997 after 18 years of Conservative rule, said 'some may belittle politics but we know who are engaged in it that it is where people stand and fall. If it is on occasion the place of low skullduggery it is more often the place for the pursuit of noble causes.'

Blair, who is likely to take up an assignment as Middle East peace envoy, said a two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict.

"I believe it is possible to do that but it will require a huge intensity of focus and work," he said.

Blair and Brown, one-time friends and now rivals, entered parliament in 1983 and were the chief authors of the 'New Labour' makeover. Their friendship, however, soured apparently after Blair refused to hand over to Brown, credited with leading his country through economic boom.