Date Published: 05/10/10

UK Elections Fallout: Brown to quit as PM in September

GORDON Brown has sensationally revealed he will quit as Labour leader.
In a speech outside 10 Downing Street, the PM said his party will elect a new leader by the time of its next conference in September.
But, he said, he will not stand or back any particular candidates.
He added he would take the blame for losing Labour's majority at the election.
The PM also revealed Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has asked Labour to enter into "formal negotiations" on forming a government, and he said it was "sensible and in the national interest" to respond positively to the request.
"As leader of my party I must accept that as a judgment on me. I therefore intend to ask the Labour Party to set in train the processes needed for its own leadership election.
"I would hope that it would be completed in time for the new leader to be in post by the time of the Labour Party conference.
"I will play no part in that contest, I will back no individual candidate."
Nick Clegg later hailed Mr Brown's decision as "important".
He said: "It must have been a very difficult thing for him to say personally.
"But I think he's taken it in the national interest, and I think his announcement could be an important element in the smooth transition towards a stable government that people deserve."
Meanwhile, Lib Dem energy spokesman Simon Hughes said he was "sure there will be a government by the end of the week".