In 1997, Tony Blair became the youngest Prime Minister of England since William Pit in 1783. Now, Gordon Brown is looking like the strongest candidate to battle against the conservative candidate David Cameron in the next British election in 2009. On Monday September 25, 2006, Brown received a standing ovation from hundreds of his party’s supporters after his 45-minute speech, which made him more likely to become the next Prime Minister of England. At the end of his speech Mr. Blair was also on his feet applauding what could be the next Labour in office.
“As a quite private person, what drew me into public life was not a search for fame or headlines, but a determination to make a difference,” he said. This kind of attitude helps him in his campaign; it seems to be building up trust with his party’s supporters, which is a key element in the U.K, where party identification is more important then in the U.S. “I am confident that my experience and my values give me the strength to take tough decisions,” Mr. Brown said in a New York Times article. “I would relish the opportunity to take on David Cameron and the Conservative Party. And in that endeavor I would be determined to draw on all the talents of our party and country.”
In his speech, Brown promised to continue the fight against terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else necessary. His speech drew a mostly positive response, but some mixed feelings from the delegates.
“There are one or two other good people and we will have a leadership election, but my belief is that Gordon has the strength,” said George Richardson, a party member.