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Brown humiliated as ministers ignore him at Cabinet session
Anne McElvoy and Joe Murphy17 Sep 2008
Gordon Brown's grip on his Cabinet weakened today amid startling leaks of dissent at yesterday's meeting.
A senior Cabinet member told the Standard that the special pre-conference session was "excruciating" and that several ministers were clearly unhappy with the Prime Minister's presentation.
One minister even demanded to know why the No 10 meeting was not discussing Labour's unpopularity rather than focusing on the Tories.
"This can't go on for much longer," the source told the Standard. "It's not just the country that's not listening to Gordon any longer, his ministers aren't listening to him. The meeting was just excruciating - an embarrassment."
In a strongly worded attack on the PM's waning authority, the source added: "Something is going to give. Either it will end up as a Cabinet entirely made up of Brownites, or a Cabinet without Brown. There were people staring at their hands, some scribbling on their papers, someone else on a Black-Berry. The mood was awful."
As Mr Brown told his Cabinet that issues about the direction of the party should not be raised until after the economic turmoil dies down, the minister said: "Gordon is now measuring his survival in two-week horizons. He just wants to get through conference. It's humiliating for everyone. All he does is re-state the problem, he doesn't address it."
Children's Secretary Ed Balls and deputy leader Harriet Harman called for loyalty to Mr Brown in the meeting. But it emerged that another senior figure challenged the Premier for focusing entirely on the problems facing the Conservatives, who are currently ahead by 19 points in the polls, and not on Labour's shortcomings.
A source said: "Someone asked, 'Why can't we have a presentation on what people think of us?' The only answer offered from Mr Balls was that Mr Brown knew perfectly well what people thought of him."
Senior minister Tessa Jowell today admitted there was "infighting" in Labour. Speaking in Beijing, she said: "The infighting in the party is not affecting my job at all. I am here focused on the Paralympics."
The PM is planning to slap down critics in his conference speech with a strongly worded counter-attack on figures preoccupied by the "internal debate".
Another minister said that Mr Brown was in no situation to hold a major reshuffle, adding: "He is just not in a strong enough position to make big changes."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell were in a state of "almost visible frustration" during the meeting, today's Daily Mail reported.
And Channel 4 News quoted a Cabinet Minister saying: "It is really all about buying another couple of weeks or months - weeks, I think."
Reader views (28)
He's so creepy when he smiles.
- Dephine, Oxford, 18/09/2008 09:24
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All rather depressing really. The alternative? An empty shell ready to reward his cavier chums. No, not talking about Johnson - the other Hoorah Henry Cameron.
- Charlie, Walthamstow, 18/09/2008 08:37
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The only reason Brown's cronies are desperately trying to keep hin at No.10 is because they know damn well that none of them will be able to get another job once he's out. What a useless pack of parasites.
- Lezli Taubler, London/UK, 18/09/2008 04:22
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Brown is reported in cabinet as restating the problems, but giving no solution. That really is not new. He has been doing exactly that since 1979. Today brings news of laws to stop websites encouraging suicide. That is the effect Brown has on the UK. His being PM brings on strong feelings of suicide in UK citizens.
To try and get votes he claims to care for 'hard working families'. But he actually ended 'married man's allowance' as one of his first acts. His true character was glimpsed when he stopped the 10 pence tax rate so taxing poor people more, in order to fund a tax gift to higher earners. He announced loft insulation for 'All pensioners'. But pensioners under 70 are told 'Not for you, the PM made a mistake'. The real mistake was being in politics, huge misplaced arrogance, and deep inability to lead and manage organisations.
Brown took people's money as tax and wasted it, such as about £100 bn taken in raids on private pensions has paupered future generations. Brown personally has stolen the financial security of future UK pensioners.
History will judge Brown as the worst PM in 100 years.
Brown failings are so great it is easier to try and list even one area of government working. None. All are 'unfit for purpose'.
Brown is so unpopular he will lose most Scottish labour seats to SNP. That puts Labour nationally behind the Lib Dems. And loses Scotland from the Union.
Brown may well go down as the man who broke the Union.
- Jimmy, glasgow, 17/09/2008 22:06
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its the loss of "the money" that is holding this Labour Government together. They are all fully aware that many of them will be booted out come a General Election. Then it's back to the dole queue, shelf stacking, lavatory attendants, parking wardens even. Gordon has to stay. The country will not stand for a second Labour Party elected Prime Minister. Gordon well knows this so he will try to hang on until 2010, no matter what, and let the Labour Party sweat. He's got you. He hates you all.
- Albert Hall, hove england, 17/09/2008 21:25
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If Gordon Brown's Cabinet colleagues are really ignoring him, then they should have the guts to openly rebel and get this nonsense over with. The country needs firm leadership and while I can understand the reservations of those who say this is not the time for a leadership election, that is a view that looks solely to the interests of the Labour Party. We need politicians to focus on what the country needs.If Brown had any good grace - which he doesn't - he would resign. If his colleagues will not follow his lead then they should find someone else. Quickly. The speculators will thrive all the while they hesitate and the country will suffer. Doesn't the Labour Party care about the country any more?
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 17/09/2008 15:48
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The usual "source" story with not a name mentioned.In other words,a complete work of fiction.
- Colin, barking essex, 17/09/2008 15:37
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Oh, knees up Gordon Brown
He always wears a frown
Knees up, knees up, never let the breeze up,
Knees up Mother Brown
Will Gordon the the boot ?
He's hopping on one foot
Hopping, hopping, never stopping
Hopping on one foot
Now he's whirling round and round
He's ruined the British pound
Whirling, whirling, never twirling
Whirling round and round
Oh,ease up Gordon Brown.
- Binky Boo, London, 17/09/2008 15:13
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dead man walking!!!!
- Ian Makin, Twickenham, 17/09/2008 15:10
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At the next general election I'm not voting for any of the main 3 parties as I have no confidence in any of them. I want someone with a bit of guts who'll sort this country out even if it upsets the pc brigade and do gooders and the EU. I feel rather sorry for whoever gets in next time, trying to sort out the shambles this country has become will now take decades.
- A Daily Mail Reader!, Orpington, Kent, 17/09/2008 14:48
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Come on people it's not Gordons' fault that the country is a mess! that was left by Tony Blair plus didn't the conservatives leave it in a mess prior to this...as Colin said the BNP are looking good and that's not a good sign.
- Sarah, London, 17/09/2008 14:38
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If as many portray him, Gordon is risk averse, he will not do a major reshuffle, as he will be concerned then of bringing in a leadership contest.
However, maybe this is exactly what he needs, that all his cabinet is behind him as one, i.e. all 'brownites'.
The rebels and those who refuse to speak against them are not bringing in anything positive, just an obnoxious unhealthy paralysing deadlock.
Maybe it is time for risk averse Gordon, to take a risk for once. He did take risks before though, just that he did not perceive them as risks because they did not look as ones when taken. Mind over matter, as always...
- Nabil H, London, UK, 17/09/2008 14:29
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Gordon Brown nationalised Northern Rock when it ran out of road, so maybe he should nationalise himself? That way he can appoint a quango to close him down in an orderly fashion without further disruption to the country. If the quango sold off some of his body parts then maybe we could even turn a profit. Damien Hirst must be able to find a use for Gordon's fingernails.
- Ian, London, 17/09/2008 14:14
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My God! Does anybody really believe that Gordon Brown, or any other politicians for that matter, care what "ordinary" people wants? Politicians are in it for the money and power, they are most certainly not in it to improve the British populations standard of living.
- Kenneth Didriksen, Bergen, Norway, 17/09/2008 14:02
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Brown's incompetency is breathtaking but I must be one of the few who doesn't see Mrs. T as some sort of female Churchillian figure - when she left office (not by choice, of course) not one of her original Ministers were left which says a lot about her governance. That said, it is clear it well past the time when Labour should go. Cameron isn't exactly an inspiring alternative and certainly has some odd views for a Conservative but it is worth giving him a go. Personally, I think the BNP begins to make more sense as each day passes but they still have a long way to go to convince the electorate at large they are a credible alternative to the mainstream Parties. Interesting times as they say.
- Colin Cumner, Adelaide, South Australia, 17/09/2008 12:55
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I am not a fan of Gordons.However, to replace him with someone that just looks good to the voters, but has no real substance (similar to David Cameron) would be suicidal for the labour party. Instead of squabling amongst themselves they should be trying to look to a policy strategy that works. They should stick with Gordon and try and sell this new policy to the voters, once re-elected then maybe they should think about a new leader if they are still unhappy.
If they stick the knife in now then it will be a very long time before they ever get re-elected.
- Desmond Young, London, England, 17/09/2008 12:53
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well the man who has borrowed billions to prop up a badly managed economy is now living on borrowed time!!
I wish Gordon a long and happy retirement.I guess his pension fund is in an off shore account so it has not been affected by our falling stock market.The fires will be burning in Whitehall as our criminal government ministers try and hide as much as they can.
What a mess young David will have to sort out,but does any body really trust them either? Oh for another Mrs T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love to all.
ps.rekon i'll end up in some Eastern European prison once Gordon's secret police have read this.
- Hugo, London/South East, 17/09/2008 12:04
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It would be reassuring to me if this shambles of a Cabinet and their PM were to focus on the issues facing the country rather than squabbling over who was going to give them a better rating in the weekly polls. Changing the leader of the current Labour Party is like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. Get on with employing your (obviously limited) capabilities to govern the country - you muppets!
- Dc, London, 17/09/2008 12:02
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How ridiculous for Brown to deny that it is untimely for there to be an internal party debate about policy when his conference in a week or so is EXACTLY that.
Neville Chamberlain procrastinated about his position after the 1940 Norway debacle and with the German advance through France,claiming that a change of leader was inappropriate when grave national issues were at stake.
This week has highlighted more than ever that horrendous economic issues now face the government -thus might I plse suggest that Mr Brown be told in no uncertain terms that the time is now right for him to GO.
- William Grierson, Kimpton, UK, 17/09/2008 11:36
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Last year Gordon Brown became leader of the Labour Party without opposition, with appeareances of unanimity in the Party.
It is the financial or liquidity difficulty along w rising inflation (CPI or RPI) THAT has led to fingers at Gordon Brown. He is not an opponent to be underestimated.
Of course this 16-year boom was bcomig funded
by too much credit at excessively low interst rates.
Interest rates should rise to 3.0% above RPI or CPI changes.
World commodity prices, esp food & oil, have risen sharply,
& may be cyclical & come down later.
If this Government pumps more money on bureacracy RATHER THAN on public services, then there will be too little room for it to move.
- Robert J M Barrett, LONDON, GB, 17/09/2008 11:18
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He's DOOOOMED !!!
- Private Fraser, Kent, 17/09/2008 11:17
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"Goodnight sweetheart, it's time to go"!
Election please, vote on the EU Constitution and return this country to the indigenous population.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 17/09/2008 10:48
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I, like many others, am intending to vote Tory mainly in order to ensure that we finally see the back of this Labour rabble, but until I am convinced that the Tories themselves intend to change and/or reverse many of the Labour policies that have so damaged our Country and our previous way of life, then they should not automatically expect to be getting my vote. They should not be allowed to assume that they will be elected solely on anti-Labour feelings. The Tories must make clear commitments that they will take positive steps to attend to the many grievances that have so often been commented on here, and elsewhere, before they can count on my support. If they don't make such commitments, then the seemingly best alternative would be to vote for one of the Nationalist parties.
- Jason Sutcliffe, Leeds, England., 17/09/2008 10:43
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The day when Brown decided not to call an election (which he had a very good shot at winning), he must have known that it was the beginning of the end for him.
The British people will never be happy led by a coward.
- Luke, London, UK, 17/09/2008 10:38
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In these incredible time of economic malaise, the last thing this country needs is a directionless, dithering prime minister. We are at danger of not just financial catastrophe, but also the loss of london's status as the world financial centre and brown should have to answer for both, but we all know he will bury his head and ignore it all.
- St, london, 17/09/2008 10:38
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In these incredible time of economic malaise, the last thing this country needs is a directionless, dithering prime minister. We are at danger of not just financial catastrophe, but also the loss of london's status as the world financial centre and brown should have to answer for both, but we all know he will bury his head and ignore it all.
- St, london, 17/09/2008 10:38
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I g I blame the HofC canteen which hasn't been the same since Bellamy's pies killed Pitt. What they need is a vial of testosterone.
- John Ellis, london UK, 17/09/2008 10:26
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Seems as if Gordon has already left the helm, and is now in his lifejacket -- having halucinations in the bitterly cold water, while his fellow officers and the passengers try to keep their heads above the water as thunderclouds threaten. Of course, the official line is that the ship is still on course, ready to dock in two years.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 17/09/2008 10:24
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