Afternoon:
11°c
Brown vows to tough it out after Glasgow East disaster
Joe Murphy, Political Editor25.07.08
Gordon Brown today vowed to tough out a growing crisis over his leadership after a humiliating defeat in "supersafe" Glasgow East.
A grim-faced Prime Minister said he was "getting on with the job" and rejected a call from David Cameron to hold an immediate general election.
"I think my task is to get on with the job of taking us through these difficult economic times," he declared, in what will be seen as an equally blunt message to his party that he will resist any moves to unseat him. But there was unrest building among Labour MPs who woke to one of the biggest by-election upsets in political history. A huge 22 per cent swing against Labour in Mr Brown's Scottish heartlands turned the Scottish National Party into giantkillers.
At Glasgow East, where Labour had an impregnable-seeming 60 per cent of the vote in 2005, a 13,500 majority was wiped out altogether. Crucially for Mr Brown's survival, there was no move against him today by any of the party's heavyweights. But one senior figure admitted that a summer of plotting now lay ahead. "The next 72 hours will be crucial," he added, pointing to the risk that critics could go public in the weekend media.
It was left to backbencher Graham Stringer to appeal plaintively for members of the Cabinet to tell Mr Brown he should stand down in the party's interests. "It really requires members of the Cabinet to have a closed and honest discussion with Gordon Brown," he said.
"We need a new start and that can only come from a debate around the leadership. I hope those discussions will take place."
There was no sign of that, however, and no sign of Mr Brown being ready to throw in the towel. He is set to unleash a stream of family-friendly policies over the weekend to revive his popularity.
There was speculation it could include more flexible working rights and trials of free school meals for primary pupils. But new growth figures delivered a fresh blow - showing Britain edging closer to recession. Growth fell to 0.2 per cent between April and June, due mainly to the housebuilding slump.
The Prime Minister left No10 by a back door this morning, avoiding the cameras, to travel to a Warwick policy forum.
En route, he stopped at a Coventry car plant to deliver his first reaction to the by-election, blaming it on rising fuel and food prices. "I know that people look to the Government to take the action that is necessary," he said. "We are looking at everything we can so that, in what is a global problem, we can in Britain help people through these difficult times."
At Warwick, he made a fiery speech without notes in front of a blood-red backdrop that hailed Labour's achievements in office as being among the "great causes" of its history. Looking relaxed and passionate, he reminded his audience of activists, ministers and unions of the risk of a Tory victory.
He warned against waking up after election day to find the Government's policies like childcare and the minimum wage being undone. "Have confidence in our values," he said. "Have confidence that whatever the setbacks and difficulties we face ... not only do we have the right policies, but when the time comes we will be able to face the British people."
But a jubilant David Cameron called for a general election. He said: "I think the Prime Minister should have his holiday but then I think we need an election. I think we need change in this country, and that's how change should come about.
"What I wonder is whether we can really put up with this for another 18 months."
Some Labour MPs called for a change of direction. Blyth Valley Labour MP Ronnie Campbell, leader of the car tax revolt, said: "He's got the ability. But if he keeps on this course, we will sail into oblivion, we are like the Titanic."
It was a good night for the Conservatives, who leapfrogged Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats to take third place. But for Labour the results were shockingly bleak. The party's Margaret Curran achieved just 10,912 votes, down from the 18,775 tally at the 2005 general election.
After a recount in the early hours, the SNP's John Mason was declared winner with 11,277 votes. He hailed the victory as "off the Richter Scale" and said it would send "tremors into Downing Street".
OPTIONS FOR OUSTING BROWN
Formal leadership challenge
A challenger would first require the backing of 20 per cent of Labour MPs - currently 70 of the 350 Labour MPs. A call for a contest would then have to be approved at the annual conference on a card vote. If passed, Mr Brown would have to face a contest. The chances of this happening are low because it would be hard to persuade so many MPs to put their heads above the parapet and heavyweights inside Cabinet would be obliged to rally behind Mr Brown unless they were willing to resign.
A stalking horse challenge
A no-hoper would stand in order to unite Labour's factions and force the PM to resign, at which point the real likely successors inside the Cabinet would be freed to stand in their own right. Margaret Thatcher was wounded in 1989 by stalking horse Sir Anthony Meyer. He paved the way for Michael Heseltine's serious challenge a year later. But the aftermath was bloody and Labour has no similar tradition.
Men in grey suits
A delegation of Cabinet ministers and party heavyweights from all wings of Labour would troop into No 10. to tell Mr Brown he has lost their confidence and must stand down in the interests of the party. A threat of Cabinet resignations would add to the pressure. It could well happen but not easily because the PM is making clear he aims to soldier on.
Brown stays on
The PM could be saved by events. The parliamentary summer recess will cool the chances for plotting and his enemies could suffer a disaster of their own. And a modest rise in party fortunes could rally MPs to his side.
Reader views (27)
GB has never been elected by the country or by his party. As chancellor has also rode on the back of house price inflation and the debt boom, claiming it as an economic miracle. In fact it was a massive boom which has now reversed into bust. Now either resign or go to the country.
- David Barker, eastbourne
Labour has to realise it either wants to win the next general election, or keep Gordon Brown. It cannot do both.
- Simon Barrow, London, UK
It's hardly worth commenting on these days, but This is the worst Prime Minister of these Isles ever.... and of course he wasn't even democratically elected. The fact that he brought with him 'lots of dirty luggage' from being Chancellor, didn't help his cause. The only problem for the UK is that there is hardly a credible different option. We are doomed, along with Sterling and a plummeting standard of living. God save our kids.
- Bondy, spain
A miserable uninspired bureaucrat driving this country into the ground with his misery. At least Teflon Tony could convince us the world was flat! Bring on English independence and some semblance of democracy. And please take that tedious yes-woman Hazel Blears whilst you're at it! This lot are the worst worst worst government that ever existed. No wonder anyone with a hint of ancestry is considering emigrating to the former colonies.
- Dj, ec2
The usual inaccurate and blind smears of a good man who has improved the lot of the ordinary working person considerably. The SNP won because the Scots want the North oil, and wealth.
- Hugh, Poole
What a disgusting evil country this little Brown ego-maniac has helped to create over the last eleven long years. A country in which mobs of "youngsters" single out victims to stab, shoot, kick to death and then film them on their mobile phones. Thank you Gordie -- you've done a great job. NOW GO!
- Judith C, London
Yes everyone agrees that Gordon should go. However there is nobody who has the guts or the standing to challenge him. This government including its leader must be the least impressive ever. There is no one who has managed anything other than giving a lecture and it is quite clear they are inept, incompetent and should go. Unfortunately he can hang on for another 2 years.
- Simon Wells, BRENTWOOD ENGLAND
Too many buzz words and no real action or substance. The real people suffer whilst the out of touch MPs feather their nests.
You and the incompetent cabinet just have not listened and continue to let many hard working people down all in the name of political correctness and now its pay back time.
- Hunsa, Ilford, Uk
”Labour's achievements" what would they be then? Record debt levels, record spending without results, uncontrolled immigration, record crime levels.....?
- Mark, London, UK
Stop blaming the recent downturn in the economy Gordon, it is the nanny state you have created taking away peoples choices and rights that have finished labour!
- Anita, Peckham, London
The sheer nastiness of the comments here show exactly what to expect from a Tory government.
- Colin, barking essex
" Getting on with the job, getting on with the job, getting on with the job, getting on with the job, listening to the people, listening to the people " so says Mr Brown.
Well Mr Brown the people are telling you to resign so get on with the job of resigning.
- J Ohn, dundee
Wee Gordy has been blooded and is wondering around wounded and dangerous. He must be dealt with before he can cause any further upheaval to the British economy and further spiteful hurt to the English way of life. Cameron, must come out and go for the jugular to help save England from these communist thugs, we cannot sustain two further years of this destruction.
- Mike, London
To Des Egan:-
nice try to re-write the history of the middle east---can't remember the bit where Isreal attacked all its neighbours, Jordan: Egypt: Syria: Lebanon: et al. I can remember Isreal defending itself against this Muslim rabble in 1967 and 1973 and wiping the floor with them. In all respects democracy will endure over despots, professional servicemen will always endure over amateur rabble who haven't got a clue.Truth and goodness WILL prevail. People like yourself will always remind us what the consequences would be if ended otherwise.
- Brian Hunwicks, Spain and glad to be here
Three good things may come from this defeat. 1. Labour will not be electable for at least another 20 years. 2. It may speed up the breaking of the union between England and Scotland. 3. It may be possible to establish a purely English Parliament that will rid us of the financial burden of Scotland and their useless Scottish Labour Ministers.
- Paul, South of England
Time to listen Brown, more police, tougher sentences, reward have a go heroes don't prosecute them, less immigration, lose the hike in car road tax, reduce fuel tax, sack your idiot chancellor, and then just maybe you will be in with half a chance at the next election.
- Brian, wiltshire
I note with interest from your article that Gordon Brown left his house by the back door this morning, rather than face the press. I think it shows the measure of the man that he had to enter No. 10 by the back door when replacing Blair, and now feels obliged to skulk away by the same means to avoid unflattering attention. This man is simply not up to leading this country. He should call a General Election before his administration does more damage to the country.
- Paul G., London
"He clapped his glass to his sightless eye and I cannot see it he said." Admirals All
- Albert Hall, hove england
One might feel sorry for him, but I certainly don't.
I can't count beyond a few fingers of honest Labour MP's
The whole lot are inept and corrupt to the core. Some Tory MP's are not better, but get shot of Brown and Labour. The country certainly can't get any worse.
Brown and Bliar has brought this about. Between the two, they've crippled the economy for their own ego's and nothing to do with the sake of the country.
- Asw, Hong Kong
I’ve voted Labour on many occasions in the past, so I’d be sad to see them lose a general election, but above and beyond my affection for the Labour party is my affection for England in general, and it’s for that reason that I implore the Prime Minister to call a general election forthwith. Whether he stands aside and lets another man lead the Labour party through it, or does it himself, I don’t really care, but the Prime Minister of Great Britain needs a mandate, full stop. Without one, not only can we not take him seriously, but we cannot expect other world leaders to, which is the really worrying thing.
- St, London
What a pity Alex Salmond does not lead one of the three major parties. We have a choice between a nail-biting incompetent, Nick Legover and a Tory toff who chains his bike to a two foot high bollard and is astonished when the bike is lifted. Time to run for the hills?
- Len Moss, burgess hill
Gordon, you have lost control of Prudence now your loyal Scottish brothers have been perfidious...this is the time to bring out your clunking fist and knock out the idiots in your cabinet and then ditch Tony's wars and stupid policies on gender, transgender, hybrid embryos and EU treaty.And why are you trying to ditch the Treason Act?
- Mazza, Yorkshire
Brown has only one chance - put on a mask so that he looks like Blair.
- John, London
A great result for anyone who believes that Labour's war criminals should be in jail, not still in government.
Alex Salmond's strong opposition to all of Labour's illegal wars (starting with Kosovo) has earned him my respect and I wish him and his party many more victories over these evil murderers.
- Harvey, Birmingham, England
Brown has comprehensively lost the support of the working class and his countrymen. He must resign.
- Simon Andre, Auckland, New Zealand.
Last week we had Mr Brown swanning off to Israel to secure the Jewish support because as we all know the television channels, newspapers and parliament are all controlled by 'supporters of Israel' he stands in their parliament and tells them how hard he is going to be on Iran when Israel has over 200 nuclear war heads!
Only one country in the world has attacked it's neighbours and still illegally occupies some of them. Iran on the other hand says quite specifically that it is only seeking nuclear power for domestic purposes. This was backed-up recently by USA!
Is this another case similar to Iraq when Iraq said that it did not possess weapons of mass destructions only for Mr Blair to lie and use it as an excuse to invade Iraq.
Please God someone must take a stand and insist that Israel surrenders or destroys all of it's nuclear arsenal and Brown must stay at home and look after the interests of the British people.
- Des Egan, london, england
The pen is Mightier than the sword...
In 18 months time X marks the spot where Labour is dead and buried...
- Kris, Swansea
