Cameron meets queen, to form government

LONDON, May 11 (UPI) -- Conservative Party leader David Cameron pledged to usher in a new era of government responsibility as British prime minister Tuesday, ending days of disarray.

Cameron finally got the his chance to form a government Tuesday after five days of political drama following an election that saw the Labor Party lose its majority in Parliament and its leader, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, step down from power, The Times of London reported.

U.S. President Barack Obama called Cameron to congratulate him and invite him to Washington.

"As I told the prime minister, the United States has no closer friend and ally than the United Kingdom, and I reiterated my deep and personal commitment to the special relationship between our two countries -- a bond that has endured for generations and across party lines, and that is essential to the security and prosperity of our two countries, and the world," Obama said in a statement.

Brown formally submitted his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II, who accepted, Buckingham Palace said. Brown had been involved in government for 13 years, 10 as chancellor and the past three as prime minister.

The genesis for the bang-bang-bang series of events Tuesday began Thursday when the Conservative Party won the most seats, but not a majority, resulting in a hung Parliament. Since then, negotiations for alliances have been under way between the Tories and Liberal Democrats, and between Liberal Democrats and Brown's Labor Party.

"Her Majesty, the queen, has asked me to form a new government and I have accepted," Cameron said after he met with the British monarch. He also paid tribute to Brown for his "long record of dedicated public service."

Discussing the coalition he will form with Liberal Democrats, Cameron said, "We have some deep and pressing problems -- a huge deficit, deep social problems, a political system in need of reform. For those reasons, I aim to form a proper and full coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats."

He said Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg wants to put aside party differences and "work hard for the common good and for the national interest."

In his resignation announcement, Brown stated, "I said I would do all that I could to ensure a strong, stable and principled government was formed."