British Prime Minister Gordon Brown congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama Wednesday, hailing his `energising politics` and `vision for the future`.

`I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Barack Obama on winning the presidency of the United States,` he said in a statement.

`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.`

And he added: `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.`

`I look forward to working extremely closely with him in the coming months and years,` he said, while also praising defeated Republican candidate John McCain`s `dignity, that has marked a lifetime of service to his country`.

David Cameron, leader of the main opposition Conservatives, said that in electing Obama `America has made history and proved to the world that it is a nation eager for change`.

`In these difficult times people everywhere are crying out for change. Barack Obama is the first of a new generation of leaders who will deliver it -- he has my whole-hearted congratulations,` he said.

Cameron, hopes to oust Brown in elections due by 2010, said the Democrat`s election was `an important moment not just for America but for the world`.

`Barack Obama`s victory will give people a new opportunity to look at the United States and see her for what I believe she is -- a beacon of opportunity, freedom and democracy,` he said.