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Cameron: Important moment for world
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Conservative leader David Cameron joined the Prime Minister in welcoming Barack Obama's US presidential election victory - but then clashed with him on the need for "change" in Britain.
At Commons question time, Gordon Brown told MPs he sent his "sincere congratulations" to US President-elect Obama, who would be a "true friend to Britain".
Mr Cameron also congratulated Obama on his "stunning victory" but insisted Mr Brown, in contrast, could not provide "the change people want" in this country.
Earlier he said: "In these difficult times people everywhere are crying out for change. Barack Obama is the first of a new generation of leaders who will deliver it - he has my whole-hearted congratulations.
"This is an important moment not just for America but for the world.
"Barack Obama's victory will give people a new opportunity to look at the United States and see her for what I believe she is - a beacon of opportunity, freedom and democracy."
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg also congratulated Barack Obama and welcomed the result.
Mr Clegg said: "British voters may not have been able to vote in this election, but its outcome is vital to our future.
"Climate change, the global economy, and threats to our collective security now demand a radical new approach by Barack Obama, leaving the Bush era firmly behind.
"The world will not succeed in this era of globalisation without the leadership of the new American President. The weight of peoples' hopes and expectations on Barack Obama is immense."
Reader views (1)
Of all the pundits and people talking about the possible election of America’s first "Black" President, most of the reference came from the UK. Why we have to be obsessed by the colour of a person’s skin perhaps shows us up as the inherently racist nation we are.
Whether Barack Obama is black, white or any other colour come to that is irrelevant. He is the right man for the country at the right time. In fact, I’d go as far as to say America has, with Obama’s election, just had its first Mandela moment – the election of a great leader who will do much for world peace.
I firmly believe that Barack Obama will be good for our country and will seek to heal the world divisions caused by the falsely elected despot, George W Bush whose lasting legacy will be one tainted by lies, failure, ineptitude, subterfuge and a complete lack of the ability to say the word “nuclear.”
Roll on the next four years – although they won’t be easy, the world is a safer place for having Barack Obama as Commander in Chief and I, for one, and over the moon we have an agent for change leading the free world.
Next one to go is Gordon Brown!
- Barry Cashin, Hertfordshire, 05/11/2008 16:42
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