Blairites demand pledge on reforms as price of halting a challenge

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Senior Blairites linked to rumours of a plot to unseat the Prime Minister have indicated they can be bought off by being allowed to influence Labour's next manifesto.

Their stance signals a battle in the weeks ahead for the soul of the party, with Brownites and Blairites repeating the internal warfare that marred many of Labour's years in office. Among the demands made by the Blairites are commitments to put consumer choice and market-style reforms at the heart of public services in future, such as giving patients more say over how and where they are treated, and parents more influence in their schools.

Former health secretary Alan Milburn today used an article in the Independent to urge Mr Brown to resist pressure to tackle the economic slump with Leftist policies and instead pursue a modernising agenda.

Labour think tank Demos issued a pamphlet arguing for individuals to have greater say than the state.

Saying the public have "reached their limits in terms of tax", Mr Milburn said: "We can no longer treat patients as passive recipients of care in a system that denies them both power and responsibility."

He called for a "new relationship" between citizens and state "by giving parents new powers to choose schools and patients to choose treatments" and letting the elderly or disabled control their personal care budgets.