Brown Vows To Tackle NHS And Housing
Updated: 20:35, Thursday May 17, 2007
Gordon Brown says his first priority as Prime Minister will be improving the NHS - and he promised to tackle the problem of affordable housing.
The Chancellor described his vision for Britain after winning overwhelming support from Labour MPs to be crowned the leader in waiting.
Under the banner 'Gordon Brown for Britain', he said he was "truly humbled" by the level of support he received.
Outlining his first objectives as PM, he stressed: "My passion is education, my immediate priority is the NHS."
He said he would also tackle the problem of affordable housing by helping young couples to get on the property ladder.
Mr Brown insisted he wanted to take Government closer to the people, adding: "I want to be a voice for communities far beyond Westminster."
Despite the landslide vote earlier, and under Labour Party rules, he will not assume the leadership until Tony Blair stand downs on June 27.
But he defended the long goodbye, saying he would spend the next six weeks talking to people in all areas of the country "away from the glare of publicity".
He added: "I've always said that Tony Blair should have the right - because of the service he's given to this country - to make his announcement and do things in the time he wants to do."
Asked about his relationship with the US, he said: "The relationship between a British Prime Minister and an American President must and should be a very strong one, and I look forward to building that relationship with the President of the United States."
Mr Brown received an unstoppable 313 nominations from the 353-strong Parliamentary Party.
That made it impossible for left-wing rival John McDonnell to reach the 45 votes needed to challenge him.
Meanwhile, all six contenders for the deputy leadership made it through to the next stage - with Education Secretary Alan Johnson leading the pack with 73 votes.
Justice Minister Harriet Harman was second with 65 nominations. Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain had 51.
Party Chairwoman Hazel Blears and backbencher Jon Cruddas both had 49, and International Development Secretary Hilary Benn was trailing with 47.