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Obama election win hailed in UK Brown hails 'inspirational' Obama
(30 minutes later)
David Cameron has hailed US president-elect Barack Obama as the first of a new generation of world leaders. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he is looking forward to working with US president-elect Barack Obama.
The Conservative leader said the American presidential race had been an "exciting and inspirational contest". He said the Democratic senator ran an "inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future".
Mr Cameron said: "In electing Barack Obama, America has made history and proved to the world that it is a nation eager for change." Conservative leader David Cameron hailed Mr Obama as the "first of a new generation of world leaders".
Before the result was announced, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the election had been a "landmark" event. He said the US presidential race had been an "exciting and inspirational contest".
He is expected to give a response to Mr Obama's victory later. In a statement, Mr Brown also paid tribute to the Republican candidate, senator John McCain.
He said he fought a "good campaign and has shown the characteristic dignity that has marked a lifetime of service to his country".
Mr Brown, who held talks with Mr Obama in London during the summer, added: "The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is vital to our prosperity and security."
Mr Brown said: "I know Barack Obama and we share many values.
"We both have determination to show that government can act to help people fairly through these difficult times facing the global economy."
Higher education minister David Lammy, who knows Mr Obama after meeting him at a Harvard alumni event in 2005, said the election of the first black American president was a "watershed moment in history".Higher education minister David Lammy, who knows Mr Obama after meeting him at a Harvard alumni event in 2005, said the election of the first black American president was a "watershed moment in history".
He said: "Martin Luther King's dream was that people would be judged not by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Today, Dr King's dream has come true."He said: "Martin Luther King's dream was that people would be judged not by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Today, Dr King's dream has come true."
This is an important moment not just for America but for the world David CameronConservative leader Brown talks of 'landmark' US pollWhat victory means for the UKThis is an important moment not just for America but for the world David CameronConservative leader Brown talks of 'landmark' US pollWhat victory means for the UK
Responding to Mr Obama's victory over John McCain, Mr Cameron said: "In these difficult times people everywhere are crying out for change. Responding to Mr Obama's victory over John McCain, Mr Cameron said: "In electing Barack Obama, America has made history and proved to the world that it is a nation eager for change.
"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."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.""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."
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond sent a message to Mr Obama offering his "heartfelt congratulations" on a "wonderful and historic" election victory.Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond sent a message to Mr Obama offering his "heartfelt congratulations" on a "wonderful and historic" election victory.
"It ushers in a new era of hope for the United States and its role in the world. This was a victory for optimism over pessimism, for hope over fear," he told him."It ushers in a new era of hope for the United States and its role in the world. This was a victory for optimism over pessimism, for hope over fear," he told him.
Earlier, Mr Brown said the campaign had led millions of people to take a "renewed interest" in public affairs.
"It has seen landmark events - women coming to the fore in American elections as candidates and as a vice-presidential candidate, the first black leader to stand for office of US president with a chance of success, a great statesman in John McCain as well, recognised to be one of the great strategic thinkers of our time," he said.