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Gordon Brown's most perilous moments will come when he summons Cabinet ministers to discuss their futures. Here is how the key figures in the Cabinet are likely to react
Harriet Harman
Labour chairman and Commons Leader The party's deputy leader could be frontrunner for a leadership contest after the election, so the idea of a smooth handover to Alan Johnson now has no attraction to her followers. She is assiduously playing the loyalty card and denies exclaiming “this is my time!” when Brown was in a leadership crisis last summer.
Alistair Darling
Chancellor A critical figure. One of Brown's oldest allies, he is one of the few frank enough to deliver bad news. That could come if the PM tries to shift him to the Home Office. Darling has made clear he would rather resign than leave the Treasury, and has suffered from Brown's refusal to guarantee his future.
Alan Johnson
Health Secretary He would almost certainly take over if Brown is forced out, having few enemies and bags of charm. Johnson is determined not to wield the knife and yesterday virtually ruled himself out by saying “no one could do the job better” than Brown. But at 59 this is his only chance to be Prime Minister — and he will not refuse it.
Nick Brown
Chief Whip Big and brutal, he heads the paramilitary wing of Operation Save Gordon. His loyalty to his namesake is unlimited and if the crunch comes he will go down with the ship. Last night he named five Labour MPs he accused of disloyalty, in a bold bid to expose and isolate enemies.
Lord Mandelson
Business Secretary Always the most intriguing and unfathomable figure. No Cabinet minister has worked harder on TV and radio for Brown to stay. Despite their past conflicts, he has become a key No 10 counsellor since returning to Cabinet in October. But that does mean his private advice when the crisis comes will be even harder to ignore. If Brown loses Mandelson now, the game will be up.
Shaun Woodward
Northern Ireland Secretary Former Tory MP who is an impressive performer and set for promotion, possibly to Home Secretary. He owes his Cabinet seat to Brown and friends say he will repay that with loyalty over the next few days.
John Hutton
Defence Secretary A Blairite “ultra” who was promoted by Brown and has kept his hands clean ever since. Notoriously, he was once said to have predicted Brown would be “a f****** disastrous Prime Minister”. If Cabinet Blairites move against the PM, he would be brutal.
Jack Straw
Justice Secretary Once touted as the man to deliver bad news to Brown, he has moved into the loyalist camp and allowed Alan Johnson to replace him as the most likely caretaker leader. His support in a crisis would be invaluable. Some see him as a possible Deputy Prime Minister.
David Miliband
Foreign Secretary The senior Blairite would move against Brown, but only as part of a move with others. He lost ground after last summer's abortive plot and is publicly resisting moves to shift him in the reshuffle. Potentially very dangerous.
Ed Balls
Children's Secretary The Prime Minister's closest Cabinet confidante will be one of the last to leave the bunker. A combative figure often accused of briefing against Brown's rivals, he may get his dream job of Chancellor if Brown survives.
James Purnell
Work and Pensions Secretary One of the younger Blairites, he will probably take his cue from Miliband. He has kept out of public infighting but is not expected to make any great effort to prop up Brown and might join others asking for a change.
Andy Burnham
Culture Secretary He was one of the first ministers in the “Blairites for Brown” group that backed the PM's leadership campaign. His actions would probably be coordinated with Miliband and Purnell.
Reader views (1)
Let's face it. With this grabbing, rubbishy bunch, the person they're going to support is the one who is most likely to keep them in their cushy overpaid little jobs, so Trash Gordon doesn't stand a chance, Now we'll see how his training them in the art of backstabbing will come home to roost.
- .Lezl, London / ENGLAND, 04/06/2009 11:41
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