David Cameron is new British Prime Minister

GUARDIAN NEWS SERVICE

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside No.10 Downing Street, in London, on Tuesday.


David Cameron has entered 10 Downing Street, London, as Prime Minister, returning the Conservative party to power after 13 years.

Mr. Cameron accepted the Queen's invitation to form a new government shortly before 8.30pm and minutes later spoke to the country outside Downing Street alongside his wife, Samantha, and announced he will establish a "proper and full" coalition with the Liberal Democrats - the first in British politics since 1945.

It follows four days of intense negotiations between all three main political parties sparked by last week's election which delivered a hung Parliament.

Mr. Cameron drove into Downing Street to a mixture of cheers before making a sombre speech in front of the assembled senior Conservative officials.

He began by paying tribute to the Labour government for handing on a country that is "more open at home and more compassionate abroad," and paid tribute to Gordon Brown's "long record of dedicated service".

"This is going to be hard and difficult work," he said, adding that coalition government "will throw up all sorts of challenges. But together, I believe we can provide the strong and stable government this country needs."

He spoke of "deep and pressing problems: a huge deficit, deep social problems and a political system in need of reform".

He said he wanted to end a culture of "entitlement" in Britain and promote one of responsibility instead, but promised: "those who can, should, but those who can't we will always help."

He then turned and entered his new home through Number 10's famous door, becoming Britain's youngest Prime Minister since the Earl of Liverpool in 1812.

Just over an hour earlier, Gordon Brown had stood on the same spot and announced his immediate resignation as Prime Minister and party leader in an emotional and dignified speech. He later announced that Harriet Harman, his deputy, will lead the Labour Party until an election which is likely to take place either in the summer or early autumn.

"I wish the next Prime Minister well as he makes the important choices for the future," he said. "Only those who have held the office of Prime Minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities as well as its great capacity for good. "I love the job, not for its prestige titles and ceremony - that, I do not love at all - but for its potential to make this country more fair, more green, more democratic."

He gave special stress to thanking the armed forcing, saying: "Our troops represent all that is best in our country." He said he would never forget "all those who have died".

His voice faltering, he thanked his wife "for her unwavering support as well as her love", and thanked his young sons, Fraser and John.

Mr. Brown said: "As I leave the second most important job I could ever hold, I cherish the first even more: as a husband and a father."

He ended with a simple "Thank you and goodbye" before leaving with his family for Buckingham Palace.

As he drove away after a short 15 minute audience with the Queen, David Cameron's silver Jaguar headed in the opposite direction, getting stuck briefly in traffic behind a learner driver.

He arrived a couple of minutes later and accepted the Queen's request to form a new government in a protocol known as "kissing hands".