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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.
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Reader views (27)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
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
