Cabinet members: What they say, and what they are really thinking

David Miliband

In public: Says reports that he is positioning himself for a leadership tilt are 'fiction'. 'I am not in the market for any job other than the one I have at the moment,' he said. Made similar assertions when touted by Blairites as a possible challenger to Gordon Brown last year - and he kept to his promise not to stand.

In private: Ambitious and supremely self-confident, bordering on arrogance. Has been anointed by Tony Blair, who called him 'my Wayne Rooney'. But he has two young adopted sons and cherishes both his privacy and home life - factors which will weigh heavily on his mind and may well have dampened his short-term if not longterm hunger for the top job.

Alan Johnson

In public: Asked yesterday if there was any chance he would lead Labour into the next General Election, replied: 'None whatsoever, absolutely none.' Also told Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs: 'I don't think I've got the capabilities. You get to a level and look around and think, "Perhaps I could go to the next level." I don't think I could go to that level, which is the only level up from being a cabinet minister.'

In private: Genuinely believes he is too old and that the torch must be passed to the next generation. However, if Labour's high command-pleaded with him to be caretaker leader he would do it 'for the good of the party'

James Purnell

In public: Emerged only recently as a potential leader and has so far kept his counsel since the Crewe defeat.

Has been used by the Government to steady the ship during TV appearances after other recent setbacks. Always remains apparently loyal to Gordon Brown. Said in January: 'I don't think anyone should underestimate Gordon Brown - he has the strategy and determination to be a great Prime Minister.' But in what could be seen as a significant pointer to his true ambitions, Mr Purnell has recently taken on Tony Blair's former speechwriter Phil Collins in what could be interpreted as preparation for any possible leadership contest.

In private: Fiercely ambitious and will have definitely placed 'Become PM' on his life's 'to do' list. There are signs that Blairites are beginning to shift their backing to him and away from David Miliband. Probably believes it is 'too soon' for him and has urged friends not to talk him up.

Jack Straw

In public: Before the disastrous London and local elections this month, he insisted: 'Let me make this clear: there's no vacancy.' As Mr Brown's leadership campaign chief he will remain publicly loyal.

In private: Realistic enough to know that it is too late for him to be the long-term choice. He knows that you don't respond to David Cameron by pitting him against someone old enough to be his father. Secretly, however, he entertains thoughts that the party could turn to him as a caretaker and would not pass up such an opportunity. It might fall to him to tell the PM he should stand down.

Ed Balls

In public: Underlined his loyalty to his mentor Mr Brown yesterday by urging the party not to 'give up or turn inwards'. Has led the attacks on those rebels, such as Frank Field, he believes are undermining the Prime Minister. Asked in the aftermath of the Crewe and Nantwich by-election if Mr Brown was doomed, he said: 'I don't think so at all.'

In private: Already gagging to be Chancellor and his ambitions definitely reach further than the Treasury. Believes that postponing a General Election last autumn was a big mistake but would still never knife Mr Brown - the pair still speak virtually every day. When the PM does leave the stage, however, Mr Balls will head the list of replacements.