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Labour lawmakers plan 'e-mail drive' to oust Brown
A plot to oust Gordon Brown has been hatched by Labour backbenchers, Standard can reveal.
- Evening Standard
- Published: 23:36 June 3, 2009
London: A plot to oust Gordon Brown has been hatched by Labour backbenchers, Standard can reveal.
An e-mail will be sent by a group of Labour MPs to colleagues within the next week in the wake of expected drubbings in local and European elections.
Previously loyal Labour MPs are involved in the plot, Standard has been told. "There is an agreement that e-mails will be circulated after the election," said one MP.
It came as Brown was warned to assert his authority or risk a full-scale leadership crisis within days. The plea came from loyalists as ministers rallied to prop up the Prime Minister after days of mounting confusion and chaos in the Government.
But on the eve of the elections tomorrow Brown took two heavy blows.
There were rumours Alistair Darling could resign from Government if he is demoted. His spokesman said: "Alistair has no plans to stand down."
The Guardian publicly withdrew its support from Brown in a scathing editorial, saying it was time for Labour to "cut him loose".
In addition, there were reports rebel backbenchers were actively soliciting names for a letter calling on him to resign in the interests of the party.
Although there is no sign yet of senior Cabinet ministers being willing to muster a delegation telling the Prime Minister his time is up, that could change if next week's reshuffle, intended to stamp his authority on the Government, goes badly wrong.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson is seen by some ministers as a better figure to lead Labour into its most dangerous general election for a generation.
Labour MP John Mann said he hoped Brown would still lead the party to the election. "I hope he will be but to do so he has got to go for it," he said.
Former deputy leader Roy Hattersley said: "What he's got to do is really take control, not just appear to take control, not just hope for headlines, but he has to have a reshuffle which shows it's his Government. No compromises, no balance, Gordon Brown the boss."
Lord Falconer said he supported Brown "as we go into an election". The comment implied the senior Blairite could speak out once tomorrow's elections are out of the way.
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