David Cameron became 53rd Prime Minister of Britain

David Cameron the leader of Conservative Party on 12 May 2010 became the 53rd Prime Minister of Britain after he formed the coalition government with Liberal Democrat Party. On 11May 2010, the incumbent Prime Minister Gordon Brown, leader of Labour Party submitted his resignation from his post to queen Elizabeth. He advised the queen to invite Cameron to become Prime Minister.

Nick Clegg the leader of Liberal Democrat became Deputy Prime Minister of Britain. William Hague from Conservative party was appointed new Foreign Secretary. George Osborne is the new Chancellor of Exchequer. Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable will get the post of Business secretary. Theresa May, the new Home Secretary of Britain is the only female member in the newly elected cabinet and a former Chairperson of Conservative party.
Leaders of both Conservative Party and Liberal Democrat Party decided to fix a term of five years for the coalition government. Both parties also gave up some of their demands. Conservative Party agreed not to increase the threshold of inheritance tax and to have a referendum on voting reforms as per demand of Liberal Democrat. Liberal Democrat, in return dropped their proposal for mansion tax on large property and amnesty to illegal migrants.

On 07 May 2010, Parliamentary elections took place in Britain contested by 20-46 political parties. Conservative Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats were the major parties among them. There were total 650 seats in the election but the contest took place on 649 seats. Conservative Party won 306 seats and emerged as single largest party. Labour Party got 258 seats while Liberal Democrat was successful on 57 seats. Rest of the 28 seats went to others. To get the majority any party had to secure at least 326 seats. No party could do so. As a result, there was a hung parliament and no party was in a position to form the government on its own. The Conservative Party ended the deadlock by forming coalition government with help from Liberal Democrat.

The major issues in this election were financial stability of the nation, immigration laws and foreign policy. Labour was not in favour of cut in government expenditure. According to the party, it would result in loss of jobs for government employees. In contrast, Conservative Party promised immediate reduction in government expenditure in all areas except defence, health and education. Liberal Democrats proposed Mansion tax on large properties and reduction of income tax on people from lower sections of the society. The party was also in favour of reforms in banking system of the nation.

On immigration issue, the three parties were more or less of the same opinion. Only skilled people from foreign countries other than the European Union will be allowed to enter Britain. Conservative party planned a Special Border security task force to deal with the problem.
On Taliban issue Liberal Democrats favoured talks and dialogues while Labour and Conservative parties supported military operation in Afghanistan against Taliban.

• The coalition government is the first coalition government after the Second World War in the history of British parliamentary elections.
• At the age of 43, David Cameron is the youngest Prime Minister since 1812.
• He heads the coalition government only after Winston Churchill of Conservative Party did so during Second World War.
• William Pitt at the age of 24 was the youngest Prime Minister of Britain in 1784.
• At the age of 43, Nick Clegg became the youngest deputy Prime Minister.
• Liberal Democrats demanded voting reforms, a major issue in Parliamentary elections.
• For the first time in British election history, ITV organised debate between the political leaders of Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat on television.
• Britain has had five hung Parliaments since the start of 20th century. Each time fresh elections happened within months.
• Last time it was in 1974 when the conservative government of Edward Heath was reduced to minority.
• 89 Asian origin candidates contested the election this time, 21 more than the figure of 68 in 2005 election.
• For the first time in British election history, three women Muslim MPs got elected to the Parliament. Shabana Mahmud from Birmingham, Yasmeen Queireshi from East Boltan and Raushan Ara Ali from Bethnol.