Morning:
8°c
A new hint that Gordon Brown could quit as Prime Minister if he feels he is a liability was given by his Cabinet ally Ed Balls today.
The Children's Secretary said Mr Brown would do whatever was in the national interest. "He will always do what is right for the country and the Government," said Mr Balls in a Times interview.
"What I will be saying to him is the right thing for him to do is to take us into the election." The Prime Minister fanned speculation about his future in an interview at the weekend. "To be honest, you could walk away from all of this tomorrow," he said.
"I'm not interested in what accompanies being in power. I wouldn't worry if I never returned to all those places - Downing Street, Chequers ... and it would probably be good for my children."
A day later Mr Brown tried to correct the impression that he was thinking of quitting with another interview, saying: "It is because of my purpose in politics that I am determined to lead Labour to the next general election."
His musings have been pored over by Labour MPs, some of whom say there will be fresh moves to oust Mr Brown in the autumn unless Labour recovers in the polls. Some suspect that the hints that he would resign are designed to confuse his critics.
Mr Brown today expressed regret that he and other leaders had tolerated an expenses system that was "ripe and open to abuse".
Reader views (6)
These politicians must think that we the public are plain stupid. Does anyone really believe that Brown could walk away from power - or the trappings of power. If this were the case, he would have walked by now. Instead all that he has left are the trappings of power since Mandelson has Brown in a vice and is dictating policy as he goes. Brown cannot reliquish power or the trappings because he has spnet his entire life preparing for the moment when he became prme minister. The problem is, as with the rest of his henchman in the cabinet, he spent so long with this power crazed dream that he never gave any thought to what he would do with such power. What he has done is to increase his power even more by enpowering the state to cast its Big Brother shadow over this nation. Brown should go, but I cannot see him calling an election. I watch Iran as am omen for the UK come June 2010 when Brown still has not called an election.
- Karen, London, 23/06/2009 15:50
Report abuse
What part of "go now" does Gordon not understand?
- Thomas, London, 23/06/2009 14:11
Report abuse
Balls and Brown, the chuckle brothers of the modern age.Why can't they both see how much the majority of the electorate despise them both. Neither have had a job outside politics and that is where the problems of the country and parliament begin.
- E.Nuff, London, 23/06/2009 13:54
Report abuse
Why is Crash Gordon the only person who doesn't realise that by remaining in no 10 he is stultifying the entire country - just look at the way the other World leaders ignored him during the D-Day commemorations!
He's nothing more than Mandelspin's puppet and he has no right to lead this country.
Shame on all you Labour MPs who have failed to oust him.
- St, London, 23/06/2009 13:13
Report abuse
With friends like Ed Balls, who needs enemies.
- Bloke, London, 23/06/2009 11:42
Report abuse
I'm sure he would do what is right for the country if he knew what it was. Unfortunately he's never known.
- Alex C, London, 23/06/2009 09:33
Report abuse
