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Brown offers to meet MPs to cool summer unrest
Joe Murphy, Political Editor23 Jul 2008
Gordon Brown has moved to head off unrest among Labour MPs by offering private meetings with those concerned about the Government's unpopularity.
The Prime Minister made his offer in a private letter to every backbencher, seen by the Evening Standard, in which he admitted they faced "a difficult few months" because of "genuine and understandable anxiety" among voters.
"As ever, I am interested to hear from people directly on any issues raised by constituents over the summer period - people's concerns, struggles, their hopes and aspirations," wrote Mr Brown.
"Over the months that follow I will continue discussions with groups of MPs about these issues."
Autumn, when MPs return from their 11-week break, is seen as a critical time when Mr Brown could face a leadership crisis.
The Premier's move came as a new poll revealed significant unease among Labour voters about his performance in office. Ipsos/Mori found 43 per cent were dissatisfied with him.
Among voters as a whole, three quarters were dissatisfied with the way the country was being run and half thought Mr Brown should resign now. A fifth said they liked Labour but not its current leader. Despite Mr Brown blaming global conditions for the economy, six out of 10 disagreed with the statement that he was "doing a good job in difficult circumstances".
In his letter, Mr Brown signalled he would not quit, saying: "I am determined to take all necessary measures to guide Britain through this period of global turbulence."
Downing Street strategists have come up with key themes to revive Labour. One is backing "people who play by the rules", with James Purnell's clampdown on the workshy and Jacqui Smith's new rules for migrants being cited as examples. On the economy, the key theme is that Britain will emerge from the downturn "stronger than before".
No10 sees plans for GP surgeries to open in the evenings, more childcare and action on knife crime as key votewinners. At the final Cabinet before the summer break, sources say each senior minister gave a presentation on their plans to campaign over the holidays.
It emerged today that Barack Obama will meet Tony Blair before he sees Mr Brown when he visits London this weekend. Unusually, the US presidential hopeful will hold a press conference in Downing Street without Mr Brown after talks at No10 - effectively using the PM's residence as an iconic backdrop.
Mr Brown faces pressure from the unions this weekend to give unions more rights in Labour's next manifesto. It was also reported that union leaders want Business Secretary John Hutton sacked for being too Right-wing.
