After his Labour Party failed to secure an absolute majority in the general elections and could not negotiate a deal to form a coalition government with Liberal Democrats, Brown stepped down both as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party. What must have impressed most people even more, especially in so-called African democracies where political leaders want to die in office, was the grace with which Brown, his wife and the entire Labour Party leadership accepted 'defeat' for a peaceful handover of power to take place in the best interests of the British and their country. That was simply magnanimous. Certainly African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries have much to learn from the Westminster democracy if they are to avoid coups, counter-coups, Arab springs and the resultant economic and political mayhem.
President Barack Obama of the United States of America, who had became the second African-American to benefit from the fruits of a vibrant democracy and the principle of the "May the-best-man win" - was quick to send a message of good wishes to then 44-year-old Tory leader David Cameron, and also congratulated Brown for accepting defeat with grace and for a job well done during his tenure.
Cameron thus became the youngest British premier in more than 200 years to occupy No. 10 Downing Street, the official residence of British prime ministers since 1735 when the title was changed from First Lord of the Treasury.
