PM congratulates Obama

Gordon Brown congratulated Barack Obama on his victory in the US Presidential election this morning and said they would work together to get Britain and the US out of the economic downturn.

Speaking to journalists in 10 Downing Street the PM said:

“I have just sent my warmest congratulations to Senator Obama on his election as President of the United States of America and I have also sent my best wishes to Michelle and his family”.

“This is a moment that will live in history as long as history books are written.”

Tuesday’s poll saw Barack Obama emerge as President elect after one of the biggest turnouts in US election history. As of this afternoon he held 349 electoral college votes compared to John McCain’s 162, comfortably above the 270 required for victory.

Mr Obama will be inaugarated as President in January 2009.

Read the PM’s Downing Street statement:

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Barack Obama on winning the Presidency of the United States. I would also like to pay tribute to Senator McCain who fought a good campaign and has shown the characteristic dignity that has marked a lifetime of service to his country.

The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is vital to our prosperity and security. Barack Obama ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future. 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. And I look forward to working extremely closely with him in the coming months and years.