This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7708656.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
What Obama victory means for UK What Obama victory means for UK
(1 day later)
By Iain Watson BBC political correspondent Mr Brown hopes to be first in the queue to meet President Elect ObamaBy Iain Watson BBC political correspondent Mr Brown hopes to be first in the queue to meet President Elect Obama
"Terrific" - that's how Barack Obama described his talks in Downing Street during a whistlestop tour of Europe in the summer."Terrific" - that's how Barack Obama described his talks in Downing Street during a whistlestop tour of Europe in the summer.
The compliment was inadvertently repaid by Prime Minister Gordon Brown when, in an article in his name in September, he enthused: "In the electrifying US presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating ideas to help people through difficult times."The compliment was inadvertently repaid by Prime Minister Gordon Brown when, in an article in his name in September, he enthused: "In the electrifying US presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating ideas to help people through difficult times."
Oops. The PM swiftly had to distance himself from those words.Oops. The PM swiftly had to distance himself from those words.
The Republicans expressed disapproval to the British Embassy in Washington and Downing Street admitted the article had been written by an aide.The Republicans expressed disapproval to the British Embassy in Washington and Downing Street admitted the article had been written by an aide.
But with Mr Obama the victor in the US presidential election, no such polite distance is now necessary.But with Mr Obama the victor in the US presidential election, no such polite distance is now necessary.
The prime minister will soon be emphasising how closely he will work with America's choice for president.The prime minister will soon be emphasising how closely he will work with America's choice for president.
Courting ObamaCourting Obama
Mr Brown is keen to have some "face time" with the president-elect ahead of the international financial summit in Washington on 15 November.Mr Brown is keen to have some "face time" with the president-elect ahead of the international financial summit in Washington on 15 November.
Once Mr Obama formally becomes president in January, it is reported that the prime minister is keen to jostle to the front of the queue of European leaders anxious to be seen with him first.Once Mr Obama formally becomes president in January, it is reported that the prime minister is keen to jostle to the front of the queue of European leaders anxious to be seen with him first.
Downing Street insiders are hoping that, with Mr Brown's huge experience of ministerial office, he can become something of a mentor to the relatively inexperienced "leader of the free world".Downing Street insiders are hoping that, with Mr Brown's huge experience of ministerial office, he can become something of a mentor to the relatively inexperienced "leader of the free world".
And there are some encouraging signs for the PM.And there are some encouraging signs for the PM.
On that visit to No 10, Mr Obama talked of strengthening the transatlantic relationship to help solve global problems.On that visit to No 10, Mr Obama talked of strengthening the transatlantic relationship to help solve global problems.
And in a telephone address to a gathering of Democrats Abroad in London last spring, he talked about "recalibrating" the special relationship with the UK.And in a telephone address to a gathering of Democrats Abroad in London last spring, he talked about "recalibrating" the special relationship with the UK.
No longer would the UK be regarded as a lackey or lapdog - instead "the United Kingdom will work with America as a full partner".No longer would the UK be regarded as a lackey or lapdog - instead "the United Kingdom will work with America as a full partner".
But the road to the White House is paved with good intentions.But the road to the White House is paved with good intentions.
Now that Mr Obama has arrived on Pennsylvania Avenue, the relationship with the UK in some areas will be friendly, in others fiery.Now that Mr Obama has arrived on Pennsylvania Avenue, the relationship with the UK in some areas will be friendly, in others fiery.
Troop movementsTroop movements
It is likely that Mr Obama, keen to reduce the US presence in Iraq, will give Mr Brown the cover he requires to get British troops out of their remaining redoubts near Basra.It is likely that Mr Obama, keen to reduce the US presence in Iraq, will give Mr Brown the cover he requires to get British troops out of their remaining redoubts near Basra.
Although the two men disagreed on going into Iraq, they will probably agree on an exit strategy.Although the two men disagreed on going into Iraq, they will probably agree on an exit strategy.
But that agreement may have a "blood price".Afghanistan could prove a future flashpoint for Washington and LondonBut that agreement may have a "blood price".Afghanistan could prove a future flashpoint for Washington and London
Mr Obama needs to show domestic voters he is tough on terrorism so he will almost certainly want the UK to transfer more troops to Afghanistan, especially if other Nato allies are more reluctant.Mr Obama needs to show domestic voters he is tough on terrorism so he will almost certainly want the UK to transfer more troops to Afghanistan, especially if other Nato allies are more reluctant.
On the global financial crisis, and on global warming, the two men may differ a little on the detail of potential solutions but they largely want to be in a similar place.On the global financial crisis, and on global warming, the two men may differ a little on the detail of potential solutions but they largely want to be in a similar place.
And both will argue that government can be a power for good - whether in keeping the financial system afloat, or on reaching international agreements to cut carbon emissions.And both will argue that government can be a power for good - whether in keeping the financial system afloat, or on reaching international agreements to cut carbon emissions.
But when it comes to globalisation, and in particular to world trade, this new Atlantic bridge may be put under some structural strain.But when it comes to globalisation, and in particular to world trade, this new Atlantic bridge may be put under some structural strain.
Economic calculationsEconomic calculations
In difficult economic times, Mr Obama has had to sound more protectionist in his rhetoric than his republican opponent - this may also have helped him get some trade union endorsements that otherwise could have gone Hillary Clinton's way in the closely fought contest for the Democrats' nomination.In difficult economic times, Mr Obama has had to sound more protectionist in his rhetoric than his republican opponent - this may also have helped him get some trade union endorsements that otherwise could have gone Hillary Clinton's way in the closely fought contest for the Democrats' nomination.
A year ago, as a US senator, he introduced the Patriot Employer Act - not, incidentally, yet passed into law - which would give tax breaks to multinational firms that keep US full-time employment levels up.A year ago, as a US senator, he introduced the Patriot Employer Act - not, incidentally, yet passed into law - which would give tax breaks to multinational firms that keep US full-time employment levels up.
With the UK government keen to restart world trade negotiations, there may be some tough talking to do if it looks like apparent American protectionism might cost British jobs.With the UK government keen to restart world trade negotiations, there may be some tough talking to do if it looks like apparent American protectionism might cost British jobs.
Also, Mr Obama spent longer with the French and German leaders on his European tour than he did with Mr Brown - so it is not clear that No 10 will wield the influence they desire over the next president.Also, Mr Obama spent longer with the French and German leaders on his European tour than he did with Mr Brown - so it is not clear that No 10 will wield the influence they desire over the next president.
The apprentice could become the master. Most Labour MPs will be pleased that the Republican era is overThe apprentice could become the master. Most Labour MPs will be pleased that the Republican era is over
After years of watching Labour prime ministers cosying up to right-wing Republicans, the rank-and-file of Labour will breathe a sigh of relief at a change in the White House.After years of watching Labour prime ministers cosying up to right-wing Republicans, the rank-and-file of Labour will breathe a sigh of relief at a change in the White House.
But their breathing could turn a little more anxious over time.But their breathing could turn a little more anxious over time.
Because it is just possible that many people who voted for Mr Obama did not spend a great deal of time poring over his policy positions.Because it is just possible that many people who voted for Mr Obama did not spend a great deal of time poring over his policy positions.
Instead, they simply voted for change.Instead, they simply voted for change.
He campaigned on slogans such as "the need for change" and "change we can believe in".He campaigned on slogans such as "the need for change" and "change we can believe in".
Vacuous stuff, but these seemed to have tapped into the national mood.Vacuous stuff, but these seemed to have tapped into the national mood.
Youth versus experienceYouth versus experience
At this year's Labour conference, Mr Brown taunted Conservative leader David Cameron, suggesting that in the midst of a financial crisis "this is no time for a novice".At this year's Labour conference, Mr Brown taunted Conservative leader David Cameron, suggesting that in the midst of a financial crisis "this is no time for a novice".
Well, Mr Obama is really just starting out in national politics compared with "the father superior" John McCain, who was rejected by voters.Well, Mr Obama is really just starting out in national politics compared with "the father superior" John McCain, who was rejected by voters.
If Mr Obama is seen to be popular, then Mr Brown's best line of attack against the Tory leader will have less resonance.If Mr Obama is seen to be popular, then Mr Brown's best line of attack against the Tory leader will have less resonance.
And during his summer visit to these shores, Mr Obama seemed to bond with the slightly younger Mr Cameron.And during his summer visit to these shores, Mr Obama seemed to bond with the slightly younger Mr Cameron.
In private conservations picked up by a correspondent for the US network ABC, the Conservative leader agreed with this analysis by Mr Obama: "The truth is that we've got a bunch of smart people, I think, who know 10 times more than we do about the specifics of the topics. In a private conservation picked up by a correspondent for the US network ABC, the Conservative leader agreed with this analysis by Mr Obama: "The truth is that we've got a bunch of smart people, I think, who know 10 times more than we do about the specifics of the topics.
"And so if what you're trying to do is micromanage and solve everything, then you end up being a dilettante.""And so if what you're trying to do is micromanage and solve everything, then you end up being a dilettante."
I wonder if he had anyone in mind?I wonder if he had anyone in mind?