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Brown takes control with 'mega-poll' day
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor7 Oct 2008
Gordon Brown moved to cement his new-found authority as Labour leader today by combining next year's local and European elections on the same day.
Under plans confirmed in the Commons, the shire county elections planned for 7 May will now be put back to 4 June to create a "mega-poll" across the country. As revealed by the Evening Standard this summer, the Prime Minister is keen to avoid two separate nationwide electoral defeats in the space of a few weeks.
Strengthened by his conference speech and the return of Peter Mandelson to the Cabinet, Mr Brown believes that rebel MPs' appetite for a leadership challenge has abated and is keen to act quickly to entrench his position.
Local government minister John healey today said there had been overwhelming support for the combined poll and claimed it would be "more convenient for voters, less costly for the taxpayer and more efficient for administrators". A draft order was laid in Parliament today. it must be approved by no later than 7 November for the change to be made. the Prime Minister will also overhaul his Queen's Speech to reflect the economic crisis and build on Labour's fightback in the polls.
Discussions about the legislative programme dominated the first meeting of Mr Brown's new Cabinet today as he welcomed Mr Mandelson back to the top table. Allies today claimed that Mr Brown was "getting the band back together" as it emerged that former spin chief Alastair Campbell is set to help in Labour's election campaigns alongside Mr Mandelson and Douglas Alexander. the Prime Minister's spokesman made clear Mr Mandelson, the new Business Secretary, was warmly greeted by Mr Brown today. his appointment is part of a wider strategy of focusing on the economy and trying to expose tory weaknesses.
At the 80-minute meeting Mr Brown led the discussion on the global financial meltdown in place of the Chancellor, who was in Luxembourg. the official Queen's Speech next month is seen by No10 as another key moment to turn around Labour's fortunes and provide a "fightback point" should it lose the Glenrothes by-election on 6 November. the Banking Bill, being published today, forms the centrepiece of the new programme. Crucially, the Cabinet also discussed the problems of sticking to plans to detain terror suspects for 42 days. Mr Brown does not want to get bogged down in a yearlong clash over terrorism at a time of financial crisis.
Reader views (4)
Whoopy dooo! Now I will be able to vote and vote and vote to get Homer-Simpson Brown and Clowns out of Number 10.
- Uncle Vanya, Chelmsford England, 08/10/2008 00:04
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Shame Crash Gordon is not giving himself up for a popular vote! How long can this un-elected travesty of a government continue here???
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 07/10/2008 21:09
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Makes sense. Who'd want to go out again, a month later and cast ones ballot? Maybe he could throw in the General Election as well, and return Labour to power at all levels of Govt.
- Dhanraj, Basildon, Essex, 07/10/2008 17:21
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Good! We can get rid of the local and European Nu Labour parasites at the same time.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 07/10/2008 17:04
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