David Cameron Leads U.K. as Prime Minister

David Cameron became prime minister of the United Kingdom after Labour Party leader Gordon Brown stepped down from the position Tuesday.

Cameron, head of the Conservative Party, accepted the queen's request to form the next government after his party won the most seats in parliament in the general election last week, but not an overall majority. In an alliance with the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives (or Tories) will end more than a decade of rule by the Labour Party. Cameron said, during a speech at 10 Downing St., the prime minister's residence, that he and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg would "put aside party differences and work hard for the common good and the national interest."

Brown resigned Tuesday after three years as Prime Minister. He followed Tony Blair, who took office as the head of the Labour Party in 1997. Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman will take the top position until a permanent replacement is elected.

The Conservative Party platform includes its dedication to ending discrimination and recognizing civil partnerships for same-sex couples.