Cameron new British PM, Clegg named deputy in coalition

Conservative leader David Cameron took over as Britain's new Prime Minister, ousting the Labour party from power after a 13-year rule, after striking an agreement with the Liberal Democrats who joined the country's first coalition government in 70 years.

Cameron assumed the top post last night after Queen Elizabeth II invited him to form the new government following the resignation of incumbent Gordon Brown.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has been named as the Deputy Prime Minister as Cameron said he planned to form a "full" coalition government of his Conservative party and the Liberal Democrats.

Installed at the No 10 Downing Street, Cameron thus becomes the youngest prime minister in almost 200 years, since Lord Liverpool who assumed office at 42.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said the Queen had requested 43-year-old Cameron to form a new government.

"The Right Honourable David Cameron accepted Her Majesty's offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as prime minister," it said.

The agreement over power-sharing came after five days of hard bargaining  between the single-largest party and the kingmaker Clegg's party, following which four other Liberal Democrats also received Cabinet posts.

The arrangement gives Britain its first coalition government since the World War II when Winston Churchill led a war time coalition.

The Conservatives emerged as the largest single party in the May 6 election that triggered the ending of the Labour party's record 13 years in office.

Labour leader Gordon Brown tendered his resignation as Prime Minister to Queen Elizabeth during a 15-minute audience at the Buckingham Palace last evening.

As per protocol, after resigning, Brown suggested to the Queen that Cameron was in the position of commanding the confidence of the House of Commons, and as such, he should be invited to form the next government.

Cameron paid tribute to outgoing PM Brown for his long years of public service and said he would tackle Britain's "pressing problems".

In his first speech after being named the Prime Minister, he said, one of his major tasks would be to rebuild trust in the political system.

"Yes, that's about cleaning up expense, yes, that's about reforming parliament and yes, it's about making sure people are in control and that the politicians are always their servants and never their masters," he said.