Chancellor faces no confidence vote

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.

Labour's majority should ensure that Mr Brown will comfortably survive the vote on a motion tabled by the Conservatives.

But the Tories hope that their decision to use one of their opposition days to debate his 1997 Budget decision to scrap tax relief on pension funds will again focus attention on a subject on which he is highly vulnerable.

It follows the recent release of Treasury documents under the Freedom of Information Act, which sparked claims that Mr Brown ignored the advice of officials when he abolished the relief - a claim the Treasury denies.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne said: "This is Gordon Brown's chance to explain why he sought to hide the dangers of his reckless raid on pensioners' savings.

"After the revelations about the raid, how can anyone have confidence in his judgment? We shall see if the Chancellor has the political courage to apologise to the millions of pensioners affected."

The Treasury has confirmed that Mr Brown will respond to the Tory motion.

It is highly unusual for opposition parties to table no confidence motions against individual ministers in this way - particularly if they have no realistic chance of winning.

However, the Tories appear to have made a tactical judgment that it is an effective way to step up pressure on Mr Brown ahead of his expected succession as Prime Minister when Tony Blair steps down later this year.