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A Downing Street rescue operation was in full swing today as Gordon Brown's allies moved to prevent James Purnell's resignation from tipping into a full-blown coup.
As the smoke lifted from the former Work and Pensions Secretary's shock decision, Government ministers, whips and aides assessed what they called the “shrapnel damage” and then swiftly mobilised one of the most carefully orchestrated political fightbacks of recent years.
After a long night, with just three hours' sleep for most staff, No 10 insiders believed they had survived the worst thanks to a combination of loyalty from Peter Mandelson and dismay among the rank and file at the spectre of party civil war.
Lord Mandelson was at Mr Brown's side in the Downing Street “bunker” until late and again early this morning, playing a crucial role in phoning Cabinet ministers to coordinate support.
Yet while the rescue plan was shoring up public backing for the Prime Minister, the most potentially incendiary element of the reshuffle — replacing Alistair Darling with Ed Balls — was still undecided until this morning.
In a move that may store up longer-term wrangling, the Business Secretary is said to have intervened to defend the Chancellor and finally seal the loyalty of the Cabinet.
Rebel backbenchers, who had relied on ministers going over the top behind Mr Purnell, were left in disarray but still insisted that some were on their side. Siobhan McDonagh, the Blairite who took part in the botched coup last autumn, revealed that ministers' protestations of support for Mr Brown were not all they seemed. “I know that some of the Cabinet who are putting that view don't actually believe it in private,” she said.
But with public statements the only weapons that mattered, Downing Street knew that the immediate threat of a leadership challenge was receding. In contrast to the ruthless fightback, the rebels looked ragged and Mr Purnell was derided as a “lone ranger” by Brown allies. As Ms McDonagh put it herself, without intended irony, “there's no level of co-ordination going on here”.
One minister said that Lord Mandelson had given a stark warning that a leadership challenge would trigger a snap general election. “It came down to a simple choice between a slow death under Gordon or a quick death under someone else,” one said.
The choreographed nature of the “defend Gordon” campaign was underlined by a Labour party message sent to all MPs and ministers instructing them on the “lines to take” on everything from Purnell's resignation to the election results.
The memo, which has been leaked to the Standard, urges them to say, for example: “I think the whole cabinet have found James Purnell's resignation surprising and disappointing.”
The drama had been sparked at 9.55 last night when Mr Purnell's fateful email, containing his resignation letter, finally pinged into the No 10 inbox. The air was thick with four-letter words because he had clearly briefed the Sun, Times and Guardian much earlier in the evening.
Downing Street staffers last night were working on the election results and looking at the first draft of the reshuffle “organogram” — with desks littered with post-it notes with different names on them — when the bomb went off. The bitterness of Mr Brown's allies was palpable.
“We've just worked our socks off trying to get the vote out all day and then he does this,” spat one. “We always knew he was close to the Tories, but this is it,” added another.
One friend of Mr Purnell told the Evening Standard that his main priority had been to speak only after the polls had closed and that he wanted to act alone. “James is not a Tory, he's not a friend of George Osborne,” said the friend.
His resignation letter makes clear he desperately does not want David Cameron to become Prime Minister. He will now go to the backbenches, he won't be making speeches or giving interview. He's done what he felt he had to,” the friend said.
It rapidly became clear that some of Mr Purnell's closest Cabinet allies were kept in the dark. “If this is a Blairite plot, it's a particularly cack-handed one”, one MP said.
Downing Street sources revealed that ministers were immediately ringing in with support from across the country. Many were miles from TV studios, but those in London were deployed straight onto the 24-hour broadcasters. “They volunteered support without us asking,” said one aide.
Crucially, David Miliband, Andy Burnham - a former flatmate of Mr Purnell- and John Hutton all made clear that they were standing by Mr Brown.
There was further drama as veteran MP Barry Sheerman led the BBC News with his own call for a secret ballot of MPs to decide Mr Brown's fate.
Mr Sheerman was driving back from the Leeds TV studios when he was texted by his local party chairman warning him of a Downing Street attack on him. He said Yvette Cooper, a fellow Yorkshire MP as well as Cabinet minister, had contacted local officials with a view to deselecting him. Ms Cooper's office denied the charge.
In a sign of the fevered atmosphere, sources close to Mr Brown were still wary of the ambitions of Alan Johnson amid reports that his close ally Gerry Sutcliffe had been testing the water for a future leadership bid.
Mr Johnson's supporters — Mr Sheerman, and trade unions and NEC member Margaret Prosser — were among today's rebels.
Today, rebels' hopes of an overthrow were dealt their two biggest blows from the men most likely to launch a challenge. First David Miliband gave an interview backing Mr Brown.
Then John Hutton appeared to kill off a Cabinet walkout by also supporting the Prime Minister. For the time being at least, the fightback had worked.
Reader views (39)
The Labour party led by Brown has had many problems but they can be overcome. God spare us the spectre of the Tories winning the next election. Remember the Poll tax etc and the savage cuts to the NHS funding in their efforts to destroy it. Better the devil you know than the one you know only too well.
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
Milliband, Darling and the rest would rather keep their incomes and perks than do the COUNTRY a favour and get rid of Brown and facilitate a general election. Throughout the last two years the only ones who've never been consulted or given a voice about anything are the PEOPLE of this godforsaken country.
Let the people speak - Brown out NOW
- Ravingmad, UK
The country could be helped to its feet by some positive media headlines. People who cannot get their own way always play the "hard done by" card.
But I do like the London Evening Standard's new masthead (logo) and approach. Congratulations and best wishes!
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
What a farce, rescure Gordon operation by his dishonest Ministry of Doom and Gloom. Much better rescue the country from this inept, shambolic Labour Government. And Brown, STOP saying that you'll finish the job, you'll finish the country!
- K Lee, Cheshunt, UK
The puzzling thing is that, according to the projections, 23 per cent of the electorate actually voted for to keep our dear5 leader in the job. Wonderful thing democracy. It gives the opportunity to turkeys to vote for Christmas.
- With Smoke Coming Out Of My Ears, London NW11
It must be nice to say to your boss "TAKE YOUR JOB AND STUFF IT" and the high salary that goes with it?.
Purnell thought had done the impossible, getting rid of Brown ..... Ha Ha Ha ... you hav'nt?.
Now lick your wounds and count the cost ... what an IDIOT and more follwed like lemings, we don't want high flyers in this Party we want M.Ps., to work for the people not for themselves.
Be strong BROWN in your resolve, and get rid of more who want to go there own way ... Leaders Lead not them.
- John L., Scarborough North Yorkshire, U.K.
Headlines..... Gormless Gordon trollied out of Number Ten shouting to the sky that he is the..."Only True and Secret King of Scotland, england, Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man, France, itlay, Germany blah, blah!!... and the World...!"
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK
Keith Price and Val are idiots
- Peter Sykes, Tivat, Montenegro sums up the limbo in the country
- Joanne, london
Ethan UK. May I correct your comment, Nulabour are not scraping the barrel, they can't, they are so far down there is no bottom left in it to scrape. Just an observation, now I must rush, I've to go and buy one of those new Amstrad emailers, you know the ones at the forefront of technology and inovation!!
- Alan, carlisle uk
If the 'coup' fails, that is the Labour Party saying 'Anyone else would be even worse than Gordon.'
God help us if that is even remotely true.
- M. Loftus, Newcastle, UK
Whilst all this is going on does anyone know who is actually running the country?
- Peter Sykes, Tivat, Montenegro
They are used to work in darkness these Nu Labor thiefs and incompetent scavengers"
More mistakes in this sentence than in Cameron;s politibal career thus far
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Keith ...looks like old Buff Hoon isn't 'getting on with the job..that started in America..real jobs...British jobs for British Workers....and lots more meaningless flannel'. He's just left HMS Nu Sinking Ship. Is that the sound of a barrel being scraped as he lines up ever more Labour non entities.
Brown is like Hitler in April 45, moving little wooden tokens over a map except the formations they represent no longer exist. Brown's pathetic really.
I can t wait for Harridan Harperson to quit myself. I've got the bubbly on ice waiting....
- Ethan, UK
Keith, I thought the rise in the value of the pound was due to poor economic data from the good old USA, and just about every currency has risen against the dollar. Your comment amuses me, Pound goes down as it did,due to a global crisis caused by the USA, pound goes up, down to good old Gord Helpus, when in actual fact it has sod all to do with him. Secondly, it was the housing bubble and bad lending that allegedly, according to Gord which sparked the Global melt down,nowt to do with him. Funny how a rise in house prices, is great news. Gord has more bubbles than a West Ham Supporter
- Alan, carlisle uk
Quote: Lord Mandelson was at Mr Brown's side in the Downing Street “bunker” until late and again early this morning, playing a crucial role.
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Sounds like Adolf Hitler and Ava Braun, have now moved Bunkers to Downing Street.
Love is a many splendored thing; they say.
For the Final Scene; Will Brown shoot Mandy, or poison her with passion fruit; or will Mandy run off with Herman Goring and his pillaged treasures from the British People?
- Mickyinlondon, london
They are used to work in darkness these Nu Labor thiefs and incompetent scavengers.
- Peteo, London NW1
To Val Daniels,
If you want to learn about conservative policies I suggest you visit their website. There is a whole section dedicated to them!
- Phil Clarke, Calahonda, Spain
As the rise in house prices and in the valus of the pound have clearly shown, the Labour Govt are getting on with the job they told us they would do, of getting us out of the world ecomomic downturn. Cameron has no experience whatsoever, so thank God the Tories haven'r been elected to power. Well done Gordon Brown
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Phew! I am so relived that Brown is still in place. My worry was that he would be deposed leading the way for someone like Alan Johnson who might, just might, be given a chance by the public at a General Election.
Now that Brown is likely to stay, I think that means it is likely that he will suffer a massive defeat at the General Election.
- Ian Gilbertson, Newcastle
As the rise in house prices and in the valus of the pound have clearly shown the Govt are getting on with the job they told us they would do, of getting us out of the world ecomomic downturn. Well done Gordon Brown
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Purnell will learn that a cabal is not the same as democratic politics. Entirely predictable and cowardly that he would choose to go straight to the media rather than engage with the wider Labour Party he so contemptuously ignores. Good-bye to him and Blears who will be remembered for their smug smiles and enriching themselves with tax avoidance. Manchester and Salford should act to get rid of these bumptious individuals.
- Rose, London
#David Jude Clements
I think I can tell you 2 of their most important policies, important at least to them.
1. Lifting the ban on foxhunting.
2. Enacting a Bill reducing inheritance tax for the wealthiest people in the country, which miniscule number includes all those currently sitting on the Conservative front bench.
I can't think of any others because they haven't mentioned them. How those I have listed will benefit any but a small minority is beyond me. Indeed, the hunting ban was voted in by a huge majority of people in the country, but their views will be wilfully ignored by the Conservatives.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain
#Keith Price
And so do I. I sent Alastair Darling an email offering him my support on Tuesday and, guess what, he sent a reply. Who says the Labour party is out of touch with the electorate.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain
So A Darling was offered a number of other jobs which he refused.
Do we have a second best Chancellor for the worst economic chrisis of the last 100 years?
Juggling Balls may have been a good option, there may have been better, either way 'Move Over Darling'!
- Jack, London
Mr. Bean Brown: how much longer this suffering?
- Georgie, Islington, London
"... Gordon Brown's allies hunted down plotters..."
That comment sums up life in Westminster village, even now as the country endures an economic and political crisis they are still navel-gazing!
Rather than leading the country, Gordon Brown is in his Number 10 bunker while his henchmen hunt political opponents in his own party. No wonder the electorate is so sick of the Labour Party, rather than fulfil its traditional role of caring for the weakest and most vulnerable members of society, is has turned into focussing exlusively on the career or otherwise of one Gordon Brown!
- Manny Goldstein, London, UK
Please God Gordon survives! If not we will miss another year of excitement and drama, leading to the June 2010 climax.
- Len Moss, burgess hill
We all know that Britain loves a fighter, fighting anainst the odds, whether it is Joe Calzhage, Susan Boyle or David Blunkett, snf I believe that Gordon will battle on and ultimately be triumphant at the next election
- Keith Price, Luton, England
- John C, Leatherhead, UK
They are only doing what Dr Spin tells them to. Ignoring they have become the third party in this country and the longer this continues looking evermore likely to implode and disappear forever with few not on the gravy train missing them, Brown has no option other than forever onwards and downwards
It does not take a genius to see that only an election can end this, fresh blood
- Gary, Brentwood 1
Sorry, but who is James Purnell? I know who he is as I'm interested in politics, but the public just see a grinning assasin. I mean, he's hardly on a par with the big hitting Hesiltine when he put the boot in on Major. What has James achieved, what is he known for? Being another greasy, back stabbing politician is what he'll be remebered for. He's a lightwieght and will be out of the Labour Party within the year!
- David, Brighton
"Completely focussed on the serious issues facing the country." Don't they mean, "Desparately battling to stay in office"?
- John C, Leatherhead, UK
Diane Abbott : "Outside of Westminster, whoever has heard of James Purnell?" Very amusing indeed
- John Bloomfield, Twickenham
Good bye another mediocrity from a mediocre party. Just who are labour's core voters now anyway apart from a few middle-class champagne socialists? Certainly not the 'working classes' who have voted for them the last 100 years or so. In a few years time labour will be gone for good and a revitalised Liberal Party will be the opposition.
- Chris, Brighton, England
How can Brown possibly claim he is giving his "undivided" attention to the country? That is the one thing he is absolutely NOT doing! And he has got his hands over his ears. The only thing he is doing is clinging to the edge of a cliff. All the cabinet appointments have one purpose, to keep him in power. It's not even "best man for the job", but the "best fit for Gordon Brown" personally. He has no respect for the [eople at all. We have been giving him more than a hint of what we want, but that will never be on his agenda.
- Sandy, Ealing, UK
Calling for a General Election is fine,perhaps now would be a good time for David Cameron to tell the population at least one of his parties policies.
- David Jude Clements, London
Dumbest thing I had ever heard is "hey we're going to sell a ton of gold soon".
That was Gordon and his sidekick Ed 'Brainbox' Balls selling off all the UK's gold reserves at rock bottom price cuz every man and his dog shorted. That point in the chart is now known as "Brown's Bottom"
You couldn't make it up ...
- Sarit, Hong Kong
James Purnell, a mediocre chancer no-one has ever heard of, leaves the sinking ship. What a pathetic end to a government.
- Technomist, Walthamstow
Well done James Purnell, looking good for the future. He has shown the likes of Smith and Blears the way of acting with decorum and class. Sadly this is all futile as with Brown the lights are on but nobody is home
- Jessica, London
Not long now, and he will be gone. Then we need a general election to get rid of the likes of Mandelson and the rest of the ner-do-wells. Cooper/Balls and the like.
- Thetruthman, United Kingdom
