Gordon Brown secured his place as Britain’s next prime minister Thursday when he accepted the nomination as leader of the Labor Party with overwhelming backing from party members.
“I am truly humbled that so many of my colleagues have nominated me,” Brown said, after the party’s left wing failed to muster enough support to force a contest.
“I will strive to earn your trust, not just in foreign policy, but to earn your trust in our schools, in our hospitals and in our public services,” Brown said after 313 Labor members of Parliament out of 353 endorsed his leadership bid.
The choice of the centrist politician ends the prospect of a bruising internal fight over issues such as the Iraq war and a higher minimum wage. Brown’s selection leaves him with a clear path to succeed Tony Blair, who is set to step down June 27.
Brown will not officially take over the party until its conference June 24.
