David Cameron has become the new prime minister of Britain. The leader of the Conservative Party took power after reaching a power-sharing deal with Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg. This is Britain’s first coalition government since 1945. The agreement was reached five days after an inconclusive election ended thirteen years of rule by the center-left Labor Party under Tony Blair and his successor Gordon Brown. David Cameron announced the formation of the new government on Tuesday.

Prime Minister David Cameron: “This is going to be hard and difficult work. A coalition will throw up all sorts of challenges. But I believe, together, we can provide that strong and stable government that our country needs, based on those values — rebuilding family; rebuilding community; above all, rebuilding responsibility in our country. Those are the things I care about. Those are the things that this government will now start work on doing.”

Hours earlier, Gordon Brown had submitted his resignation to the Queen.

Gordon Brown: “As you know, the general election left no party able to command a majority in the House of Commons. I said I would do all that I could to ensure a strong, stable and principled government was formed, able to tackle Britain’s economic and political challenges effectively. My constitutional duty is to make sure that a government can be formed following last Thursday’s general election. I’ve informed the Queen’s private secretary that it’s my intention to tender my resignation to the Queen. In the event that the Queen accepts, I shall advise her to invite the leader of the opposition to seek to form a government.”