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Gordon Brown faced an attempted “coup d'etat” today as two former Cabinet heavyweights called for a secret ballot on his leadership.
Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt wrote to all Labour MPs proposing a vote to decide if he should lead the party into the general election.
They were branded “cowards and betrayers” by Brownite MP Geraldine Smith while the chairman of Labour MPs described it as a plot to oust the Prime Minister. But with Labour 10 points behind in the polls, Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt said divisions over Mr Brown's performance as leader were now hampering the chances of beating David Cameron's Conservatives.
“Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance,” they said in the letter.
“We have come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot.”
Jack Straw was expected to be the first of the “big guns” to come out in full support of Mr Brown this afternoon, sources told the Standard.
Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, was one of the first senior Blairites to back Mr Brown, saying: “I don't support the secret ballot.” Housing minister John Healey said: “Most Labour MPs and most Labour Party members will think this is the last thing we need.”
Former ministers Frank Field and Charles Clarke were among leading critics of Mr Brown who backed the call for a ballot.
Mr Hoon, a former defence secretary, and Ms Hewitt, who used to be health secretary, said the party would unite behind Mr Brown if he won, putting an end to in-fighting that has dogged him since 2007 when he called off an early election.
“Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance,” they said in the letter.
“We have come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot.”
Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt added: “In what will inevitably be a difficult and demanding election campaign, we must have a determined and united parliamentary party. It is our job to lead the fight against our political opponents. We can only do that if we resolve these distractions.”
The pair told the Standard they were not calling for Mr Brown's removal but only for a secret ballot on whether to hold a leadership contest. It could strengthen the Prime Minister's position, they pointed out.
Such a ballot, however, would effectively be a vote of confidence in Mr Brown. Labour MPs think Cabinet ministers of such rank as Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, or Business Secretary Lord Mandelson would be needed to oust him.
The chairman of Labour MPs, Tony Lloyd, strongly rejected the ballot call. “Geoff Hoon is wrong on this. Geoff has very little support. Let me assure you, there is not the support in the Parliamentary Labour Party for this attempted coup d'etat.”
Europe Minister Chris Bryant dismissed it as “a hand grenade with the pin left in”. The Prime Minister pointedly ignored it. Downing Street sources said he had not cancelled any meetings and was “getting on with the job as usual”.
A senior Cabinet minister was expected to defend Mr Brown on the airwaves this afternoon but there was no overwhelming rush by senior Blairites to shore up his position.
There was speculation that some Cabinet members might seek changes in election strategy as the price of their support, including which ministers will be in overall charge of the campaign.
The last serious attempted coup was in June when James Purnell resigned.
Then, Lord Mandelson rallied senior ministers in a successful counter-coup that left backbench critics of Mr Brown angry and feeling they had not been given a say.
Mr Hoon, a former chief whip, said: “One of the frustrations of MPs is that we are united over policy and have a good programme and a great record that we are failing to get across. I think the mood of the party now would demand that any contest be conducted in a proper way.”
Ms Hewitt said: “We have only been back at Westminster 24 hours and there are rumours of a minister quitting and of plots against the leadership. If we do hold a leadership contest, there is no reason to think that having several candidates from different wings of the party would mean civil war.”
Former home secretary and Labour chairman John Reid was being touted by some MPs as a caretaker leader. Dr Reid is one of the few former Blairites who refused to serve under Mr Brown.
Bookies Paddy Power today slashed the odds on Home Secretary Alan Johnson becoming the next Labour leader, quoting him at 9/4. David Miliband was on 10/3, Ed Miliband, 4/1 and Harriet Harman at 15/2.
Reader views (52)
changing the leader is about as useful as propping up the corpse and slapping makeup on it. it looks different, but its still dead
- Sarah Jones, bromley, kent, 06/01/2010 22:16
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peewit and the bufoon strike again. Wet fish anyone.
- Steve, Brentford, 06/01/2010 20:22
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I want Brown to stay so we can see his face on election night when he and his party are obliterated for good!
Start packing Brown. You have ruined once great England.
Pat
- Pat Morgan, spain, 06/01/2010 19:54
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I left the country in the days of "Chairman Wilson" in his 3rd economic plan.
Years later Mrs Thatcher had to sort through the debris of Britain's devastated economy and politics to rebuild what was an almost bankrupt country. Labour again have repeated the debacle.
I am not sure Cameron has the acumen of his predecessor.
- W.Palmer, Vancouver, Canada, 06/01/2010 18:12
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Brown, what a berk. He is a real asset - to the Tories.
Only a dead beat Labour MP would take his place. Brown will assure them losing the general election. He was a bad chancellor and an even worse PM - as we expected.
- Michael, London, UK, 06/01/2010 18:09
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This just might do the trick and confirm Gordon Brown as the leader with sufficient gravitas, honesty and integrity to lead the UK out of recession and keep economic and social justice as an overriding political objective. If the UK wants a celebrity type prime minister all make-up, air brushed and no substance then Cameron is your man. Cameron, snake like, supports the avericious bankers whilst professing otherwise.He had neither a clue (as did not Osborne)nor the technical understang how to deal with the near collapse of the Western banking system and chose to sit on his hands as the Government not only dealt with the crisis in the UK but also led the world in sorting out the international problem. Cameron the man who boasted his integrity having claimed expenses for shrub clipping and then admonished all other MP's for their laxity for equally dubious claims. If he's the man you want, fine but dont believe he and his acolytes will do anything other than look after themselves. Were he to be the next PM it will be terrible if you are poor, lonely, ill or deprived. It though will be great if you already well off because the poor will certainly be paying for your inheritance tax reduction and all your tax avoidance schemes.
Gordon Brown seeks not celebrity; he cares and has done for all his political life - he cares for all the citizens of the UK not like Camerron and his party where self interest has always been and will remain the clear political objective.
- David Cox, London UK, 06/01/2010 18:07
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Finally....proof that K. Price, as we suspected all along, works for the Labour party. No one else in the country could be as supportive as you've been. What job have you got lined up when you're consigned to oblivion? Something cushy at the BBC?
- East, London, 06/01/2010 18:06
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Labour will be wiped out in May whatever they do. It's not about Brown, it's about the entire useless party. I don't know why these people want to fight over who gets to lose their one and only general election as leader. Let Brown take the humiliation, he's earned it, and then squabble over it afterwards. Thank god we'll be rid of them all.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 06/01/2010 17:38
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Get it over and done with Gordon. Nip along to have a word with the Queen and bring on the election.
- Doug Watt, london (EUSSR)14, 06/01/2010 17:25
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Seeing the horrific Blairites who want to oust Brown makes me want to vote for him.(I certainly wouldn't vote for them) and if Brown is ousted I'd vote for a small party
- Deborah, London, 06/01/2010 17:15
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These two political successes (sic) are absolutely out of the New Labour mould, treachery running through their hypocritical veins.
Brown should now be very nervous as he gave them top level instruction in the art of the knife in the back.
A General Election not even announced yet and the knives are sliding out of the sheaths already.
Any company foolish enough to consider giving either of these two consultancy work after the election are getting clear warnings as to the quality of what they would be paying a fortune for. Don't touch them.
- Ken.H, Harrow. UK, 06/01/2010 16:54
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After a brillient PMQs when GB trounced Dave the Cave who cant even keep his vows we have the same old stale bittr lemons trying to regurgitate them selves.
All they achieve is to do a dis-service to the people who elected them and if they are not happy they should join the Tory Party which is where they belong!!!
Anyway Cameron still has no answers even when asked about how we are at one moment a broken country and yet he proposes plans that would cost billions which shows that his grasp of economics is on a par with his chancellor!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 06/01/2010 16:51
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Gordon Brown reminds me of the choddy that you just can't get rid of. No matter how much you chuck at it, it keeps a bob, bob, bobbing to the surface.
- Alan, Surbiton, 06/01/2010 16:49
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Keith P, I sincerely hope you are being paid by G Brown to post these comments. Otherwise we'll have to conclude you're deluded and inept (bit like our current Govt in fact...maybe you ARE Gordon Borwn ?)
- Electra M, London, 06/01/2010 16:43
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There will be no change under the Torys. Ruled by a corrupt European political class, administrated by a selfish self interested political class here in the UK.
Democracy is dead.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 06/01/2010 16:41
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I hate all double-dealing 'politicians'. But under the Constitution we have, Brown is HMQ's Captain of the Ship. Mutiny if you like, but just mind out for the icebergs. I think he should tough it out, in the public interest, and I guess he has the guts to do exactly that - however much it may hurt personally. It's not as if an 'election' could promise any improvement. Wallies all of them.
- Steve, London, England, 06/01/2010 16:36
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The above photograph says it all: "
The picture is an old one from the newspaper library, different tie etc. Vheap, maligning images won't win the Tory light-weight champ any election
- Keith Price, Luton, Emgland, 06/01/2010 16:19
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It's about time Labour fought back, i can't stand what Brown has done to the Party. Please someone do something before it is too late!!!! WHat's wrong with you lot?
- John T Wytchowski, Brent, 06/01/2010 16:06
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I am smiling because its now election year and theres not much that Labour can do to avoid a GE,and I am laughing because of the panic that their party is in, to get rid of Bean before the polling stations open.
- David, Fleet UK, 06/01/2010 16:06
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How reminiscent of the Soviet Union, unelected tyrants squabbling for the top spot.
- Js, London, 06/01/2010 16:04
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Off with their heads I say
- John Smith, London. UK, 06/01/2010 15:56
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Please make my day, Mr Hoon and Miss Hewitt. The more bitching in the background, and name calling around Pa Broone, the better. It might just distract their collective attentions from the election campaign to come.
I wonder if my Lord, Mandelson will be making covert contacts with the Torys or Lib-Dems for something important post election weeks and months. One cannot see Lord Peter being sidelined by a Tory administration even if Brown, Labour and the whole boiling lot of them are consigned to wailing, gnashing of teeth and political hair shirt wearing days post the Gen Election.
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK (Now part of EU-SSR-Land-Land), 06/01/2010 15:53
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I just surprised that it's taken so long for any of the labour spineless MPs to crawl out of their holes and say anything against the unelected Brown, shamed on all the other Labour MPs , they are finished no matter who leads their party.
- Ken Winter, bishop auckland England, 06/01/2010 15:52
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It was clear from Day 1 that Gordon Brown didn't have the charisma nor the communication skills to be Prime Minister, whatever other qualities he may or (probably) may not have. This fact was more than confirmed by his appearance on The Andrew Marr programme on Sunday. To see the constant bickering and manoeuvring among his team of self-serving and totally useless pygmies, while the state of the country goes from bad to worse, only serves to reinforce the view that, however bad the Conservatives may be, they couldn't be worse than what we've got. This new move of Hoon's and Hewitt's would, in most circumstances, be suicidal but, given that this government doesn't stand a chance of being re-elected, it will make no difference to the outcome and simply demonstrates, yet again, what a bunch rats they are.
- John, London, 06/01/2010 15:46
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The above photograph says it all: This is the picture of a man who believed he could lead the country, then after ten years of sulking and plotting to get into Number 10 he found he was not up to the job.
It would be sad, if it wasn't so tragic (for the rest of us)
- Anil, Manchester, 06/01/2010 15:46
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BuffHoon and PeeWitt heavy weights? Check the scales and weigh them again.
- Alan Collis, Brussels, 06/01/2010 15:45
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Is that Blue Steel, Gordon? Or are you finally ready to show us Magnum?
- Roberto K, London, 06/01/2010 15:44
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Do I hear the sound of knives being plunged between shoulder blades?
- Gwilym Rhys-Jones, marbella spain, 06/01/2010 15:38
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If only the maniac could be booted...but it won't happen as all those spineless backbenchers, the same ones who backed Bliar in the Iraq war vote, will, Lemmings like, fail to back a leadership bid. They are all, without exception, a shower. Robin Cook was the only man with principles and he's dead so can't help now.
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK, 06/01/2010 15:33
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I hope Keith is right the best thing for the Conservatives is Gordo still being there.
I must have been watching a different PM question time as usual he couln't answer a single question. It shouldn't be called that anymore any suggestions for this waste of time?
- Tojo, Hythe, 06/01/2010 15:10
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Hoon and Hewitt! What a pair of deadbeats to lead the rebellion! I doubt this pair will have Gordon Brown shaking in his shoes. Pity the challenge isn't being led by somebody who has achieved something, but then again, we'd have to look long and hard at the present bunch of no-users to find one.
- George, Cambridge, 06/01/2010 14:39
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The way that Gordon brown dispatched the light-weight Tory leader at Question-Time today was masterly. The so-called rebels have no chance and afre both leaving politics in a few months anyhow. The PM is seen as a world leader. Mr cameron is known in some circles of political debate but rgar won't earn him votes come May/June
- Keith Price, Luton, Emgland, 06/01/2010 14:30
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I've just heard Ms Hewitt on Sky News, her performance completely reminded me of the snake in "The Jungle Book". Not that I actually care. The sooner Crash is booted out, the better.
- Marianne, SW France/London, 06/01/2010 14:30
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I want Labour out, but I want the country to move forward more and if that means getting rid of Brown and keeping labour for another term straight away, I'd take that.
- St, London, 06/01/2010 14:07
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If ever proof was needed that the Labour Party is competely delusional, Geoff Hoon's words "we have a good programme and a great record" provide it!
- Henrydz, London, 06/01/2010 13:58
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Scary photo. He looks like he is dying! Why does he want the job! Give it up! Get well and have a proper life.
- Tallulah, Hove, UK, 06/01/2010 13:57
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David Heath's brilliant comment
Even made Brown laugh.
Govt has 'all speed of arthritic slug on way to its own funeral'. ..
haha classic !!
Brooon go home to Scotland and stay there, if you can travel the clogged up roads thanks to your miser governments failures to provide grit, machines &
workmen
Plenty of Money to waste handing it out to despots in Africa though,..and to fight Israel's wars for them
- Brit Bloke, Britain, 06/01/2010 13:54
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Labour are still plotting and machinating under the severe misapprehension that their problem is solely Brown. They couldn't be more wrong.
The electorate now hate their party, what it has come to stand for and most, if not all, of the oppressive, bully boy, ignorant and foolish things that they have done in office. This is the worst government of the modern era and the people both know that and are ready to address it at the ballot box. It's all over for Labour whichever incompetent nonentity they might choose to "lead" them.
- Matty, London, UK, 06/01/2010 13:45
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Opposition to Brown will not be tolerated all opposition will be crushed. Hoon and Hewitt are like turkeys voting for Christmas. The Brown team will drive all blairite modernising traitors out of the party. Brown and his ever faithful Balls will maintain control and enforce implementation of the next five year plan.
- Loseb Jaghash, Slough, 06/01/2010 13:44
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The problem for Labour is that they don't have a single credible alternative candidate of suitable stature, to Mr Brown, best thing these people could do is to back him and hope for the best.
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 06/01/2010 13:43
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about time too - get rid of him!
- Jackie, London, 06/01/2010 13:41
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All politicians need to understand that we are ANGRY. Labour has mismanaged this country for 11 years, squandering our money on buying votes. While people who need cancer drugs are denied them, pensioners are living on the breadline orh rented accommodation at our expense; hate 'clerics' are on benefits, in dustbin care homes; scroungers are living in £8000+ a montmillions on 'incapacity benefit'. The tories have pledged to maintain the level of overseas aid (to places like India which has more millionaires than Britain!), the LibDems live on another planet and refuse to put a cap on immigration; according to them we should take in all the 'unhappy' people in the world and welcome every thug and criminal. Speak up! Write to your MP, asking for answers to the issues that concern you as a citizen and as a taxpayer.
- Beatriz, London, 06/01/2010 13:36
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Whilst Brown may have proved to be poor at his current (and previous)job, it is an insult to voters to assume we will forget that his smug incompetent ministers are also responsible for the mess too......
They are all damaged. At least Brown is willing to take responsibility.
- Clifftop, london, 06/01/2010 13:31
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Well,as a Tory,I want him to stay until the election!
- Steve, London, 06/01/2010 13:26
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Hoon says Labour "have a good programme and a great record" !!!! Where has he been living for the last few years? I'm totally amazed that the Labour party doesn't seem to get that they are at least partly responsible for the economic situation and wholly responsible for the UK failing to climb out of it as fast or as strongly as others. Taxes are rising, Sterling has collapsed and we have a massive debt that will dominate finances for years.... who is responsible for that???? The proposed solution? Spend even more in a thinly veiled bribe to try desperately to hold on to power!
- Simon, London, 06/01/2010 13:25
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"we are united over policy and have a good programme and a great record that we are failing to get across"
Nonsense: the Labour party are split in two over policy, as Mandy's comments about creating wealth go directly against Brown and Balls' "tax the rich" agenda; the programme is now 13 years old and has been repeated more times than the Morecambe & Wise Christmas specials, but with less popularity; the record is as scratched as an old 78.
The only truth in Hoon's statement is that the message has certainly got across: we are all well aware of the government's failings in Health, Education, Finance, Immigration, Transport and Defence.
A new leader will do nothing to re-float the Titanic. It is time for someone to launch the lifeboats and swim for shore.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 06/01/2010 13:22
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You can just hear the scampering of tiny feet as all of the rats decide which particular sinking ship to abandon.
Captain Mandy can't be far away from this treachery and all of the little sailors will be waiting to see which way he jumps so that they can jump with him.
Lemmings all of them, because they are jumping to oblivion.
- Ronnie, whatusedtobe England, 06/01/2010 13:15
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Choosing a new Captain after the Titanic struck the iceburg would not have saved the ship.
- Will, Bristol, 06/01/2010 13:10
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Time to go Gordon, and give "The Party" a sporting chance!
- Greg, Leyland, Lancashire, 06/01/2010 13:07
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it appears that politicians, especially in this case labour have yet to understand that it isn't just the crew of the 'good' ship parliament that is detested.
IT IS THE SHIP ITSELF.
it's rusted, decrepit and fails to float on the ocean of reliability and trust.
as far as the labour party goes, it is well past it's sell by date and there is a distinct odour of rot emanating from within. Not that the tories offer any fresher produce and their shelf life is so dubious it would be ill advised to invest in .
never has bogoff been more appropriate, as a hung parliament is possibly the best outcome. nothing necessarily positive happens in that case, but then nothing of extreme negativity is likely to happen either
and as the ruling party rarely achieves anything of long term merit and the army of civil servents usually keep the wheels rolling, however haphazard; the status quo is maintained.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 06/01/2010 13:02
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This is "Buff" Hoon at his best.
He's damaging the Labour party, whilst trying to distract attention from his appearance at the Iraq inquiry.
- Jenny Mayne, Bristol, England, 06/01/2010 12:50
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If ever any one could be said to have a face like a smacked bum, its gordon macbroon in that photo above.
- Kedge, marlboro wilts uk, 06/01/2010 12:50
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