Milburn article hints at challenge to Brown

Former Health Secretary Alan Millburn cast doubt on whether the Chancellor has new ideas to take Labour to victory at the next general election.

Opponents of Mr Brown are also planning to create a wave of momentum behind Mr Miliband by secretly gathering names of MPs who are willing to declare their support for the Environment Secretary on Labour's official website.

The 'write in' campaign, which would start after Tony Blair steps down, is aimed at demonstrating a growing body of support for Mr Miliband.

The 41-year-old has warned that he will not be "seduced" into challenging the Chancellor and fears that he may split the Labour party if he throws his hat into the ring.

But with recent polls showing support drifting away from Mr Brown, Blairites believe that Mr Miliband could be left with no option if his support base grows strong enough.

Although he has ruled out standing at the moment, the Environment Secretary has retained a get-out-clause if Labour gets a hammering at the local elections in May or if the Chancellor's ratings continue to plummet.

When Mr Blair quits, Labour is planning to update its website regularly showing support for the canddiates who need a minimum of 45 to stand.

Mr Brown is thought to have as many as 200 in the bag. The plan to encourage Mr Miliband's supporters to 'write in' will allow him to maintain the idea that he is not standing until the last minute.

Mr Milburn, one of the leading 'stop Brown' MPs, launched a veiled attack on the Chancellor in the New Statesman magazine.

The former cabinet minister wrote: "Fresh ideas hold the key to winning elections. They are sorely needed at a time when David Cameron is seeking to set the political agenda and the Tories are leading in the polls.

"Of course Blair's Government continues to make the right reforms, but right now it is hard to discern what our plan is to meet the challenge of the next 10 years.

"To win again, Labour needs to renew - intellectually, politically, organisationally."

In a clear reference to Mr Brown, who Blairites accuse of secrecy, Mr Milburn goes on to say: "That cannot happen behind closed doors. It requires an open, inclusive debate about our future direction."

He added: "One thing is certain: renewal cannot be about going back. It is about moving fowards and facing the future with confidence."

During an interview with GMTV earlier this week, Mr Miliband did not deny he had been approached by party colleagues who suggested he stand.

But he said: "It's very flattering, but it's important that you don't let flattery go to your head. I'm not going to be seduced."

He added his position had not changed during the past three years and he considered Chancellor Gordon Brown "an excellent prime minister in waiting".