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There are four weeks to go before MPs return from the parliamentary recess and already the plotting against Gordon Brown's leadership is well under way.
We report today the accusations that Harriet Harman, the deputy leader, has been using her volunteers to take soundings from grassroots party members. It is a charge she now needs to rebut convincingly if her claimed reputation for unshakeable loyalty is to be maintained. Meanwhile, it has emerged that one of Mr Brown's most reliable allies, the backbencher Tony Lloyd, is to face a challenge to his leadership of the Parliamentary Labour Party in the form of Barry Sheerman, chairman of the education select committee and well respected by many Labour MPs.
After last summer's abortive attempt at a coup against the leader from David Miliband, and the decision by James Purnell to leave the government rather than mount a challenge, the prospects for a change at the top may look vanishingly small. At a time when Labour is lagging so far behind in the polls, the leadership is a poisoned chalice. But not everyone in the party is resigned to fighting for its soul after a general election defeat. Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband produced dutiful statements of loyalty yesterday. Neither can afford to be the assassin - but either could emerge as an alternative if the knife were wielded by another hand. At least some polling evidence suggests Mr Johnson could close the gap on the Conservatives.
Whether the party has the collective resolve to persuade Mr Brown to leave or unite behind an alternative is not clear. But if there is to be a coup, it had better be a clean one. Weeks and months of plots are guaranteed to make the party look divided, and that itself is a route to disaster.
Selling off Lloyds
IF the shadow chancellor George Osborne enters Number 11 between now and next summer, he will inherit very substantial shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds banking groups following the nationalisation undertaken in 2008 to prevent their collapse. Mr Osborne describes on this page some of the wider economic challenges he will face. But it has also emerged that his team is considering the eventual sale of some of the Lloyds and RBS shares to private investors, by way of reward for their role, as taxpayers, in the rescue.
The plan could raise some new funds for the banks, though individual savers alone cannot be relied upon for the injections of capital on the scale that may be necessary. The idea has overtones of the mass privatisations of the 1980s, which did encourage many people new to saving to build up nest eggs - although in some cases, notably Railtrack, the story was to end unhappily.
Lloyds, which has nearly a third of all UK current accounts and mortgage lending, may become an attractive share to hold once the effect of recession on its lending has worked its way through. But that in turn could mean political difficulty as the interests of shareholders clash with those of consumers, who may face a dominant market player when they shop for current accounts or home loans. Mr Osborne has previously spoken of the dangers of banks that grow too big. He will need to strike the right balance between borrowers' and shareholders' interests if this approach to the bank stakes is to work.
Branding television
THE CULTURE Secretary, Andy Burnham, is expected to look at allowing "product placement" - visible branding of the hero's soft drink or sports car -into television shows, although not those aimed at children. It is a welcome move which could draw much-needed funds from consumer marketing budgets into television production. Most viewers are sophisticated enough not to be unduly influenced by such messages. If the consequence is better shows to choose from, viewers will be the winners.
Reader views (3)
Whoopee Do! The Albatrosses are landing, and Pa Broone is twitching like he's on Happy Pills. (all allegedly of course).
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK, 14/09/2009 22:31
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Johnson as new Labour leader - you are having a laugh! This is the 'man' who doesn't loose any sleep over immigrants flooding the country and, only yesterday, stated publicly that he would not appear on TV with elected politicians. (The BNP).
- Mike, kent, 14/09/2009 15:48
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Alan Johnson has the albatross of Gary McKinnon around his neck!
As Home Secretary, will he protect this vulnerable individual who has a mental illness that made him unaware of the consequences of his actions. He is a loner who was obsessed with UFO's, not a malevolent member of a terrorist group.
Will Alan Johnson allow him to be extradited to the US where he faces a sixty-year prison sentence, or will he intervene?
Until this issue is resolved, Alan Johnson is in no position to put his personal ambition first!
- Manny Goldstein, London, England, 14/09/2009 12:26
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