英國財政大臣布朗17日正式宣布接受工黨領(lǐng)袖提名。他當(dāng)天在倫敦舉行的工黨提名集會上說:“我正式接受這一提名,接受它所賦予的責(zé)任以及為英國人民服務(wù)的機會。”
Britons can expect a new style of government when Gordon Brown takes
over from Prime Minister Tony Blair next month. That is the promise Mr. Brown
has made to a country eager to see government trust rebuilt. For VOA, Tom Rivers
reports from London.
Having secured the backing of the vast majority of Labour politicians in
parliament, Gordon Brown will become the next British prime minister, without a
runoff party election.
He will simply succeed Tony Blair on June 27 when, after a decade in office,
Mr. Blair will step down.
Speaking in London, Mr. Brown, the country's long-serving finance minister,
said he it will be an honor to lead the nation.
"I am truly humbled that
so many of my colleagues have nominated me for the leadership of the Labour
Party and I formally accept the nomination, the responsibility it brings and the
opportunity to serve the people of Britain," he said.
A lot has happened during the last 10 years under Mr. Blair's leadership, and
Gordon Brown will inherit a demoralized and unpopular Labour Party lagging far
behind the opposition Conservatives in the polls.
But Mr. Brown promises change and a new approach.
"I will lead a new government with new priorities," he said. "I believe
government only works when it is dedicated to serving the people. I will always
try to put your concerns and aspirations at the heart of what I do. I will work
hard for you. This is who I am."
Brown said he will not announce any shift in London's relationship with
Washington, despite widespread public disquiet in Britain over Mr. Blair's unwavering support for the president on Iraq.
In Washington, Prime Minister Blair met with President Bush at the White
House where they later held a joint news conference.
Mr. Blair congratulated Gordon Brown on his landslide victory in Labour Party
backing.
"Having signed Gordon's nomination forms and nominated him as
leader, of course I wish him well and I believe he will make a great prime
minister, and I know he believes in the relationship with America too," he said.
Asked about what kind of relationship he might have with Mr. Brown, President
Bush said he expects a smooth transition.
"I hope to help him in office the way Tony Blair helped me," he said.
"Newly-elected president, Tony Blair came over, he reached out, he was gracious
and was able to converse in a way where our shared interests were the most
important aspect of the relationship. I would hope I would provide the same
opportunities for Gordon Brown. I met him. Thought he was a good fellow."
Gordon Brown says he will tour the country during the next six weeks to
better understand the challenges that lie ahead. During much of that time, Mr.
Blair will be traveling overseas.
disquiet :absence
of peace or rest; anxiety(不安;憂慮)
unwavering
:不動搖的;堅定的
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(來源:VOA 英語點津姍姍編輯)