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Brown becomes new Labour leader Labour must have soul, says Brown
(19 minutes later)
Tony Blair has handed the leadership of the Labour Party to Gordon Brown at a special conference in Manchester.Tony Blair has handed the leadership of the Labour Party to Gordon Brown at a special conference in Manchester.
Mr Blair said Mr Brown had "all the qualities to mark him out as a great prime minister" and said he would "give of his best" to serve the country. Mr Blair said his long-time chancellor had "all the qualities to mark him out as a great prime minister".
Mr Brown, 56, will take over as prime minister on Wednesday. Mr Brown, who becomes prime minister on Wednesday, praised Mr Blair and said: "The party I lead must have more than a set of policies, we must have a soul."
It follows the news that Harriet Harman is Labour's next deputy leader after she won the six-way race to succeed John Prescott in the job. It follows Harriet Harman's narrow win in the six-way race to succeed John Prescott as deputy Labour leader.
The justice minister beat off favourite Alan Johnson to win the contest by the narrowest of margins. DEPUTY LEADER RESULT 1. Harman: 50.4%2. Johnson: 49.6% 3. Cruddas: Out4. Benn: Out5. Hain: Out6. Blears: Out The final result comes after eliminated contestants' second preferences reallocated class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5350450.stm">Profile: Harriet Harman
Mr Brown told Labour activists: "It is with humility, pride and a great sense of duty that I accept the privilege and the great responsibility of leading our party and changing our country."
He personally thanked Tony Blair who he said had "made Britain stronger, more tolerant, prosperous and it has made Britain fairer".
He also praised John Prescott and former leader Neil Kinnock for leading the party "out of the wilderness".
He described Britain as a "country of rising aspiration," saying voters had told him they wanted a "higher class" of public services "tailored to individual needs".
But he told activists: "The party I lead must have more than a set of policies, we must have a soul."
Victory speechVictory speech
Mr Brown is now spelling out his vision for a Labour government which does not need to call an election until 2010. He pledged not to return Labour to the past - and said he wanted make education and tackling the housing crisis his top priority.
In recent interviews he insisted he would press on with efforts to create a Cabinet "of all the talents" - despite apparent snubs from two non-Labour recruits. Justice minister Harriet Harman beat favourite Alan Johnson to win the contest by the narrowest of margins.
In recent interviews Mr Brown insisted he would press on with efforts to create a Cabinet "of all the talents" - despite apparent snubs from two non-Labour recruits.
He also said he had learned his lesson about "top-down" government and has pledged to involve ordinary people in his decisions.He also said he had learned his lesson about "top-down" government and has pledged to involve ordinary people in his decisions.
He told BBC News the public needed to be fully involved if big challenges like climate change were to be tackled.He told BBC News the public needed to be fully involved if big challenges like climate change were to be tackled.
Blair presenceBlair presence
A poll for the Observer has given Labour a clear lead over the Tories, the first time the party has been put ahead of the Conservatives for eight months.A poll for the Observer has given Labour a clear lead over the Tories, the first time the party has been put ahead of the Conservatives for eight months.
The BBC understands Mr Brown will promise Labour members a much greater say - and votes - on the development of party policy.The BBC understands Mr Brown will promise Labour members a much greater say - and votes - on the development of party policy.
Mr Brown set out his plans at a meeting of the party's ruling National Executive Committee on Sunday morning.Mr Brown set out his plans at a meeting of the party's ruling National Executive Committee on Sunday morning.
Mr Blair - who has just returned from an EU summit and a visit to the Vatican - and Mr Prescott are expected to be in the audience at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.Mr Blair - who has just returned from an EU summit and a visit to the Vatican - and Mr Prescott are expected to be in the audience at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.
As the chancellor prepares for his new role, research by Ipsos/Mori in the Observer suggested Labour had surged 4% to 39% over the past month and that Conservatives had slipped a point to 36%.As the chancellor prepares for his new role, research by Ipsos/Mori in the Observer suggested Labour had surged 4% to 39% over the past month and that Conservatives had slipped a point to 36%.
Liberal Democrat support fell from 18% to 15%, the poll suggested.Liberal Democrat support fell from 18% to 15%, the poll suggested.
Some 1,970 UK adults were interviewed for the party share poll.Some 1,970 UK adults were interviewed for the party share poll.