“Let the work of change begin,” Gordon Brown declared on Wednesday as he returned to Downing Street as the new Prime Minister of Great Britain.
A beaming and emotional premier pledged to use “all the talents” as he prepared to reshape the cabinet and government.
Speaking with his wife, Sarah, beside him, Mr Brown told reporters: “I have just accepted the invitation of her majesty the Queen to form a government. “This will be a new government with new priorities and I have been privileged to have been granted the great opportunity to serve my country.”
He promised to be at all times “strong and steadfast” and to govern beyond narrow political interests.
Mr Brown said: “The need for change cannot be met by old politics,” as he pledged to build a government that would use all the talents “in the spirit of public service that will make our nation what it can be”.
“At all times I will be strong in purpose, steadfast in will, resolute in action in the service of what matters to the British people, meeting the concerns and aspirations of our whole country,” he said.
The 56-year-old Scot, who took over as Labour chief on Sunday, spent almost an hour with the Queen before emerging from Buckingham Palace as Prime Minister, first lord of the Treasury and minister for the civil service.
Outside Number 10 Mr Brown said that he now represented the town where he grew up and went to school.
“I wouldn’t be standing here without the opportunities that I received there. I want the best of chances for everyone. That is my mission,” he said. “If we can fulfil the potential and realise the talents of all our people then I am absolutely sure that Britain can be the great global success story of this century,” he said.