Brown offers cabinet post to opposition

Britain's next leader Gordon Brown offered a cabinet post to the former head of the opposition Liberal Democrats in a move aimed at broadening his government's appeal that may backfire. Finance minister Brown takes over from Tony Blair next week and has said he wants to regain voters' confidence and lead an inclusive, listening government "of all the talents".
His offer of the job of Northern Ireland Secretary to former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown came after the current leader, Menzies Campbell, turned down Brown's offer of possible inter-party cooperation at secret talks this week.