HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister congratulates Obama on Election Victory [November 2008]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 November 2008.

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.