So Brown has finally, officially resigned ....

[Saracen]

... at last.

He's announced it in Downing Street, and in in the Palace formally telling Lizzie now.

Of course, that means Cameron will be PM, but we still don't know what the government will look like. Either a Tory/Lib coalition, or a Tory minority government with a "confidence and supply" agreement. My bet is on the coalition.

But even if the leaders have agreed it, and the negotiators have agreed it, they've both got to get it past their parties and that might give Clegg a headache .... and there'll be quite a few seriously unhappy Tories too.

[TAKTAK]

Win-RAR!!

[Flibb]

And the really really good thing is that hes taking Mandelson with him. Happy day

[Saracen]

And the really really good thing is that he's taking Mandelson with him. Happy day

Not just a lovely cake, but a wonderful icing.

[directhex]

Not just a lovely cake, but a wonderful icing.

Isn't Mandy still a Lord though?

[Bugbait]

Watched it on BBC, excellent news .

[Tumble]

And the really really good thing is that hes taking Mandelson with him. Happy day

Oh fantastic. A less likeable slimy toff there isn't in Westminster. I heard El Gordo's resignation speech on the radio the other day - struck me as the first honest and truthful thing he's ever said.

[oolon]

Eariler today the was a privi-counsel meeting, I wonder if lizzy told him to hurry up.

[shackahn]

I will wait and see what is ahead, there is a good reason tories havent been in power for an age. I think Brown inherrited alot of crap from the Blair era but he made some silly mistakes even so.

Will Cameron and Clegg do any better? Only time will tell.

We might have to re-visit this thread a few months down the line to see if everyone is as happy about Brown leaving

[kopite]

Mandelson is one of the most unlikeable people in politics imo closely followed by alistair campbell.

I thought David Camerons Speech was excellent especially "those who can should"

[Grey M@a]

I bet the Labour party wished Brown stayed on as leader of the party now that they are stuck with that bint Harriet Harman

[muddyfox470]

I feel sorry for the man. He looked so glum.

He's one of the most human politicians, so it's nice to see that, someone who is flawed, but is strong, direct and honest! Not looking forward to this new government though...

Can't believe that Obama called up so quickly!

[Saracen]

I will wait and see what is ahead, there is a good reason tories havent been in power for an age. I think Brown inherrited alot of crap from the Blair era but he made some silly mistakes even so....

But Brown was a very major force in the Blair era, and has to shoulder a lot of responsibility for the "crap", either for having been behind it or for not (like Iraq) blocking it. He wasn't exactly an impartial and remote observer but an active and leading participant.

[Saracen]

I bet the Labour party wished Brown stayed on as leader of the party now that they are stuck with that bint Harriet Harman

She's still only deputy leader, though, and standing in while an election occurs .... for which she said she won't run.

She can't run for leader without standing down and deputy leader, which she says she won't do. My guess is that she calculates she'd probably not win as leader, and if she goes for it and misses she will probably end up as neither.

[Stoo]

Isn't Mandy still a Lord though?

*stifles giggle*

Let's not bring his personal life into it

What'll be really interesting is to see how quickly the PM job ages Cameron.. I'm betting they need the touch-up artist on a full-time retainer

[Tumble]

Do you think that the conversation with the queen went something like:

"Ma'am, with your permission, [slack jaw]I should like to dissolve parliament[/slack jaw]"

"No need to dissolve the whole thing Gordon, just yourself and your cabinet will do nicely.."