Gordon Brown faces backbench rebellion

June 4th, 2009 | Author: D Lewis

His authority is on the line after the emergence of an email urging him to
quit was being circulated among his own backbenchers.

The email reads: “Over the last 12 years in government, and before, you have made
an enormous contribution to this country and to the Labour Party, and this is very widely acknowledged.

“However we are writing now because we believe that in the current political situation,
you can best serve the Labour Party and the country by stepping down as party leader
and prime minister, and so allowing the party to choose a new leader to take
us into the next General Election.”

No MPs have so far broken cover to claim ownership of, or support for, the email.

Under party rules, 71 of Labour’s 351 MPs are needed to mount a
leadership challenge to an incumbent.

The email apparently states that its ringleaders will not publish a list of names until
it reaches 50 in number, but they hope to secure “significantly more”.

It also pays tribute to Mr Brown’s “significant contribution”
to the country and the Labour Party.

The email threat comes after Hazel Blears’ surprise resignation as Communities
Secretary, hard on the heels of news that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and two more
ministers are to leave the Government in an imminent reshuffle.

Ms Blears offered no praise for the Prime Minister, who singled out her expenses claims
for criticism amid recent controversy over her failure to pay capital gains tax.

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Darren Lewis

Gordon Brown faces backbench rebellion

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