Labour faithful - Tony Blair included - rally round deposed Brown

As Gordon Brown handed over the keys of 10 Downing Street to David Cameron, his predecessor as prime minister Tony Blair paid tribute to the man who helped him build New Labour.

Mr Blair said that he spoke to the outgoing Prime Minister this evening, and hailed his successor's "extraordinary service to social justice".

In a statement released by his office, Mr Blair said: "I spoke to Gordon Brown tonight in a warm conversation that reflected a friendship of almost 30 years' duration.

"I pay tribute to the dignity, courage and leadership he has shown in these last few days and to the quite extraordinary service he has given to our country in 13 years of government as Chancellor and Prime Minister and to the cause of social justice at home and abroad."

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "This is a sad moment and one in which to spare a thought for Sarah and the two young boys.

"It is now the moment for the Labour Party to reflect on what has happened - but, far more importantly, what the future holds.

"There can be few tasks in life as thankless as being Prime Minister. This is true in spades when dealing with a global recession in which everywhere else in the world is affected - but your own electorate have no-one else to blame but you.

"That is why everyone, including those who have been vitriolic about Gordon Brown, should have the decency to say 'Thank you' for his tremendous contribution to getting nations to work together over the last two years to combat what would have been a global depression.

"I am deeply proud of what we have achieved in government over the last 13 years.

"I am convinced that we can reconnect with voters and ensure that when the election as is called, as it surely will be within the next two years, we avoid letting people down and ensure that we have the hopes and aspirations of families across Britain firmly in our sights."

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said: "Like many people, I am naturally disappointed that the Conservatives will form the next Government.

"Whilst the Liberal Democrats are fully entitled to link up with the Tories, I am sorry that they rejected the opportunity for a progressive coalition government to fundamentally change British politics.

"We will be taking our role as the Opposition very seriously, and holding the Conservatives and Lib Dems to account if they fail to deliver what the country needs and working with them where there is common ground.

"I am proud of Labour's many achievements in government. We have transformed public services and public infrastructure and there are two million more jobs in Britain.

"We will be using every opportunity to try to prevent Conservative plans for savage and early cuts in public sector jobs and services."

Irish Premier Brian Cowen described Mr Brown as a very good friend to Ireland throughout his career in Government.

"He showed his commitment to peace in Northern Ireland and to positive British-Irish relations in his extraordinary personal contribution to the talks that led to the Hillsborough agreement earlier this year," the Taoiseach said.

"He has also provided strong and insightful international leadership in the global economic crisis and in the fight against poverty and disease around the world.

"I know that he has always tried, in all he has done, to work for the good of everyone in British society.

"I wish him well for the future and look forward to working with his successor."