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Brown leadership faces new threat by Labour's Left wing
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor27 Jul 2009
The Labour Left is ready to pull the rug from under Gordon Brown's premiership, a senior backbencher warned today.
Alan Simpson issued the chilling message to the Prime Minister that Left-wingers are prepared to desert him unless he changes the way he is governing.
Mr Brown fought off a threatened coup last month which the Left of the party failed to join. Despite Cabinet resignations, he clung on, with his allies defusing the revolt by warning of a snap election if he was replaced.
But Mr Simpson, a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, today claimed that many of his fellow backbenchers are poised to move against Mr Brown in the New Year if Labour is still marooned with dismal poll ratings and facing disaster at the general election set for May.
The Nottingham South MP told the Standard: "If nothing is shifting in the way that Gordon has promised about a new era of openness, you will find both the Left and centre of the party are involved in the process next time. If the Left get involved, you would have the numbers and it would become serious for Gordon."
Some MPs are talking about an attempt to oust Mr Brown after the party's annual conference in the autumn but Mr Simpson believes a decisive move is more likely at the turn of the year.
A new leader could enjoy a bounce in the polls in a honeymoon period before a spring election. "You would probably have Alan Johnson just dragooned in," Mr Simpson said. "It would be an interesting contest, 'Postman Pat v Eton Toff'." He argued that a three to four per cent jump in the polls under a new leader could save dozens of Labour MPs their seats.
Mr Simpson was angered by the party's decision to force out Left-wing MP Ian Gibson over expenses, triggering the Norwich North by-election which Tory Chloe Smith won last week.
Left-wingers will be jostling for their policies, including opposition to replacing Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent and getting tougher on bailed-out banks, to gain ground at the party's conference.
Mr Brown will be wary of swinging to the Right to counter David Cameron who is stepping up his rhetoric about the need for public spending cuts and possible tax rises.
A repeat of the 16.4 per cent swing at Norwich North in a general election would install Mr Cameron in No10 with a Commons majority of more than 200 seats. Tony Lloyd, chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, dismissed any suggestion of a bid to oust the Prime Minister.
Reader views (41)
Just when the Tories have the chance to unite Britain.
To set aside the pernicious class war that stillgoes on there. To take advantage of a seriously decrepit Labour rump.
What do they come up with?
A man of the people?
No, an old Etonian, born to rule!
- Gh, Lara, Australia, 28/07/2009 03:07
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The plan is that Uyghur women and photographers outside the media "before the joint efforts by modeling," full deceptive. Friends said, from another picture with the theme can be seen behind the women who Uygurs two apparently followed by a very professional photographer, set up a professional photography tripod. From the side, the military is clearly still parked there, but those outside the media's point of view is very good at shot selection. Agence France-Presse photographer is behind the film from the Uyghur women, so it gives Uygurs on women "alone" in the face of their military vehicles to the open feeling.
- Chinese Student, China, 28/07/2009 02:49
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'(Simpson) argued that a three to four per cent jump in the polls under a new leader could save dozens of Labour MPs their seats.'
Nothing to do with any matter of principle, then: thanks for not letting us get our hopes up that there's anyone of quality left in this husk of a once-great party.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 27/07/2009 23:41
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Browns A CLOWN except he does not make me laugh!
- Davetherave, lancashire, 27/07/2009 17:57
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This is the lot that signed a petion to stop Gary McKinnons extradition.Then queued up to vote for it The whole bunch are spineless the words the utter are just sound bites in an effort to save their skins.
- David Smith, Croydon, 27/07/2009 17:52
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How nasty to call people toffs would these lefties like me to call them communists or trots because that is what they are we should remind these people that we have climbed out of the pram and we do not believe in their lefty ideas very often the so called toff has a lot more intelligence in their little finger than the lefties have in their who bodies all they are interested in is self preservation. I do not care where the next government was schooled as long as they have the qualifications to do the job and for Simpsons informations most of the tories are not so called toffs they have come up through hard work.
- Jacqui Williams, peterborough cambs, 27/07/2009 17:42
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Is "Postman Pat" Johnson the person who says he does not "lie awake at night worrying about a UK population of 70million"? No thank you, he is not listening to public concerns like the rest of them.
- Peter, Watford UK, 27/07/2009 17:14
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Talk, hot air and distractions. There will be no putsch because this lot still want to receive their salary for not serving the country and more in their pension fund, so we will have to wait to have our say.
The umming and uhing and spin, lies, half truths, bad peoposed legislation, slurs and class warfare comments will continue and the country will suffer the more because the man is intent on the destruction of the UK, never mind his moral compass (leading us to destruction) and letting down badly the people he claims he wants to serve.
He serves no one but himself, hence arranging for new kitchens in his properties, flippin Broon. Better he do a backflip down the stairs, and miss his footing.
- Hugh, Middx, 27/07/2009 16:49
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Thanks to Brown never has so much money been given to so few bankers for so little return. The bankers are doing alright but we have to pay for it all. He must go.
- Edwin, beaconsfield buckinghamshire, 27/07/2009 16:42
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Strange isn't it how the left thinks that the country needs their brand of politics. If that was the case the electorate would remain with Brown god help us!
What a lot of tosh about Alan Johnson a pure political animal of the left. I went to Secondary school took evening classes and gained professional qualifications. Worked all my life and now a pensioner cannot afford to retire. If asked the majority of people in this country want a curb on all immigration and the deportation of all illegals without reservation. The complete overhall of the benefits system. No messing about with prison sentences. No bonuses to public servants and a 10% cut accross the board on all senior managerial salaries together will the closure of all of their final salary pension schemes.
If you want to save even more money get rid of all of the quangos set up by this corrupt, sleazy, immoral and unpatriotic government with the blood on their hands of our brave troops. Let's see Gordon Brown visit Afghanistan and travel by road instead of a helicopter that surprisingly is available to him but not to our troops.
There are some good Labour MP's but they are the ones resigning!
- James Town, Braintree UK, 27/07/2009 16:27
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So there we have it in black and white from a Labour MP elections and governance are all managed to 'save Labour MP's' to hell with the country the economy or the massive damage this bunch have on the country at large. Its an outrage that this is occuring - people of britian don't let this moral bankruptcy win even one vote lets punish the cynics as soon as possible............
- Christian Ball, London, UK, 27/07/2009 16:26
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whether it be right,left, or straight down the centre, to quote private fraser, ' he's doomed.' . the internicine warfare from within is as nothing to the anger and resentment among the great unwashed.
as every empire crumbles and those within turn every which way and promise the moon and sixpence in a vain attempt to stave off the inevitable,the future implosion is written on the walls of tenament blocks, and the public perception of the lABOUR PARTY is already firmly entrenched in rejection.
not that you hear the phrase so much these days, but the tories are hoping the electorate has forgotten the disasters of thatcher and major and now embraces blue sky thinking. for the vast majority be it a red, yellow, or blue flag that fluttersabove no 10, nothing much changes and the inept, vain gloriouus and greedy will still get the cream as they pretend to be the greatest government that ever toasted their success in the corridors of power.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 27/07/2009 16:08
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yeah yeah, they havent the bottle to ous this moron - MANDY WON ALLOEW IT UNTIL AFTER THE LISBON TREATY. LOAD OF SPINELESS GUTLESS THIEVES
- Cathy, southampton united kingdom, 27/07/2009 15:16
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This country needs an election to resolve this. Laws also must be enacted to stop parties swapping out their PM's as THEIR pleasure. No one voted for Brown and unless a PM dies, breaks the law or is seriously ill, they can not step down to improve the parties chances at the next election.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 27/07/2009 15:15
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R Race, Ealing England: John Major WON an election in 1992 which spared us the Welsh Windbag Kinnock and put a zip on the mouths of those who'd labelled him an "unelected PM". But Brown "the bottler" refused to call an election because, wait for it, he knew that he'd WIN it!
One really couldn't make it up.
- Ted, London, 27/07/2009 15:12
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I think the Brits will be making mistakes in trying to get rid of Brown.The times are bad across the world,every country is going through bad times and this is the guy that was the Chancellor in the good times and for the brits to think Cameron is experienced enough to pull them through this worst recession is daft and a great mistake and well,i hope they get rid of Brown,so will see the final fall of the British Empire,how could a people think Cameron is better than Brown? Not in a million years,if the brits want to get rid of Brown because he's scottish,well thay may have a point but running this economy isnt for inexperienced and they will all see the difference when Brown leaves,because they will be looking for another General election 2months after Cameron becomes PM.Brots think and think well
- Joseph..Dublin, Dublin,Ireland, 27/07/2009 14:50
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I went to Eton. My father is a secondary school teacher and my mother works in Morrisons. I won a Kings Scholarship whereby I paid no fees and the college helped with all my extra.... does that mean I am a toff?!? Class nonsense from an apathetic and desperate Labour party,
- Mark Roberts, Southampton, 27/07/2009 13:34
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Another unsurprising story of a leadership challenge within this talent less, broken government. Yet again they are way wide of the mark. A new leader isn’t going to make any difference (especially one from the left.)
What the people of this country need and deserve is a new government!!!
Election Now Please!!
- Xtremely Worried, Britain (no longer Great), 27/07/2009 13:28
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More hype and waffle from the Labour backbenchers.......PATHETIC!
These gutless and spineless people had there best opportunity to ditch Brown in the summer yet sat in the backround and allowed others to quit and take the flak while they sat in the backround looking on as cowards do.
Face it, Brown is here till the next election and only then will he be booted out of No10 by us the electorate.
As a former Labour voter it pains me to say that Labour only stands for sleaze, lies, corruption, cowards, gutless, spineless, hopeless.....and so the list goes on!
- Steve, Medway,England, 27/07/2009 13:16
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When you have finally dispatched Brown, we have a job he can do down here in Australia.
We need a scarecrow to ward off the damn birds!
- Gh, Australia, Lara, Australia, 27/07/2009 13:13
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I can't wait for Labour and Brown to be booted out. Roll on the General Election.
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire, 27/07/2009 13:11
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Just after the New Year - bit late isn't it, he would be calling a general election shortly after that anyway? This is just another sound bite from a useless, disgraced, crooked labour administration that has totally lost the plot and has no way back. Just talk, spin, claptrap and garbage. If they want to get rid, do it now, or just shut up.
- J D Keating, london,, 27/07/2009 13:04
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Did we have an immediate General Election when gormless John Major took over from Maggie Thatcher? Major was not as stupid as his academic record suggested.
- R Race, Ealing England, 27/07/2009 12:43
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Do the so called working classes not realise how damaging this man is to their future, when the chickens come home to roost and the books have to be balanced it will be the people at the bottom of the food chain who will get hit the hardest, and rather than blaming the Labour Party for the total and inept management of the economy it will be made into a class issue, Tory cuts ect
- Steve M, London, 27/07/2009 12:38
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The postman against toff jibe was made by a man called Simpson, a member of the "socialist campaign group" in Parliament. The class sneers are always made by lefties who can't think up a rational argument.
How much money did Simpson get away with in the expenses scandal ?
- Sally70, Bedford, 27/07/2009 12:30
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If the Labour Party chucks out Gordon Brown as Prime Minister, will we get a general election to choose out next prime minister or will we be lumbered with another un-elected Labour prime minister?
- David, Hampshire UK, 27/07/2009 12:18
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Every day that Brown and the rest of his incompetent Cabinet remain in power,the more devastation they are able to wreak.Even if he went today,most of the damage is irreversible with no money for reforms,and many institutions dismantled for ever. This is an empty threat to gain some concessions for the Left-a few crumbs from the table may keep them subdued enough until the General Election.If they were serious they would make their move NOW.But they want to screw as much money as possible from their salaries and allowances knowing that they will in many cases be out on their ears next June.I have reservations about Cameron,but on the whole would prefer the country to be run by intelligent well educated people who know which knife and fork to use and who are articulate,than this lot now. Alan Johnson was probably a really nice, friendly postman -but a future Prime Minister?No way. He has already admitted to not being able to grasp certain aspects of his Home Sec brief.Anyway we are stuck with wee Gordon until the Election-no group will risk their salaries and pensions to oppose him before then. Afterwards the truth will out,and those who praise him now will fall over themselves to tell us how they never liked him or had any faith in him!!
- Liz Roberts, Northwich UK, 27/07/2009 12:03
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It is interesting to see the amount of negative comments about Alan Johnson because he came from a very deprived working class background and once had a manual job. Rather than a general feeling of admiration for what he has achieved there is so much sneering at someone' from the lower classes'.
who said the class system in Britain was dead?
- Martin_Clerkenwell, london, 27/07/2009 11:57
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There is a petition on his own Number 10 website, asking him to resign. If you have not signed it yet, this would be a good time.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/please-go/
- Kalvis Jansons, Hitchin, Herts, 27/07/2009 11:38
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Blah blah blah, all words and no action. If they're going to do it - then go ahead and DO IT ! If not shut up and put up (like the rest of us have to)
- Marianne, SW France/London, 27/07/2009 11:28
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Another day, another threat to Brown's leadership - is he deaf as well as naive?. The public are his biggest threat to his leadership becase when the election comes he will removed from Downing Street quicker than he can invent new taxes - which is lightening quick!
- Mike Barry, London, 27/07/2009 11:20
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Well i for one find it rather warming that the Labour party might return to its left wing roots,time is long overdue that the Blair inspired gutless uninspirational bland spin machine was kicked into touch,if nothing else at least you would know the difference between Labour and the Conservatives.
- Kev, London-UK, 27/07/2009 11:16
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Spineless, if they they were going to do anything then this summer was the right time.
- Ade, london, 27/07/2009 10:55
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Gormless Brown will go down in history and the most bigoted, paranoid, inflexible and weirdest Prime Minister ever to set foot in Downing Street.
This parasite WILL NOT be removed by mealy-mouthed Labour MP's - Brown will remain in office until it is time for him to collect his GBP2,100,000.00 pension pot.
Meanwhile, Joe Public can get lost.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 27/07/2009 10:55
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Labour's front and back benchers have already demonstrated in equal measure that they have not got the balls to bring down Brown.
And the prospect of a former postman as prospective leader - nice guy that he is - demonstrates how bereft labour is of real talent.
Just where is the Labour politician with the statesmanlike qualities to fit him or her for the highest office in the land.
- Stuart Baker, Leeds Uk, 27/07/2009 10:50
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'Postman Pat v Eton Toff'....at least the Toffs don't go on strike!
- Gwaddilove, London..England, 27/07/2009 10:48
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Lets face it, Brown is not going to change. What then?
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 27/07/2009 10:38
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Blimey, so they'll move against him in the New Year, will they? That's the sort of tough, decisive action that will save the Labour Party and no mistake!
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 27/07/2009 10:37
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They wil do nothing because gutless loony freeloading cowards never do they just talk about it and get their thugs to assault decent hard working folk.
- Mike,, London, 27/07/2009 10:31
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A bit late at the end of the year! This is so silly as to be laughable. Labour had its chance to get rid of the chain around its neck at the start of June, and chickened out. Too late now. The whole crew is going down with a captain who it's too late to change.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 27/07/2009 10:17
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Leave him exactly where he is.
The longer he remains, the more lies he will spin. The more the country goes down the pan. All those Labour supporters out there will get what they deserve a crumbling society and more and more people waiting for the general election to give him a real kicking.
Besides, what does he care. He know's he's lost it so might as well cling onto the bitter end whatever we think.
God help us all.
- Asw, HK, 27/07/2009 09:56
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