What will be the next plot twist?
James Forsyth 10:54am
The rebellion does not appear to have taken off yet but neither has it been stamped out. If a senior Labour figure who is not regarded as one of the usual suspects were to join in the call for a contest that could be a trigger for a significant number of Labour MPs to move.
One thing that Siobhain McDonagh’s resignation has sparked off is speculation about what John Reid might do, McDonagh was Reid’s PPS. It is worth noting that Reid, who is standing down at the next election, has not sounded off against Brown or the direction of his government in the relatively frequent way that some other Blairites have. An intervention from him would carry considerable weight. Also because Reid is leaving politics he could couch an intervention as an act of loyalty to the party rather than as an attempt at personal advancement. This, though, is, at this point, speculation but indicative of the febrile mood in Westminster.
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David C
September 13th, 2008 11:31am Report this commentThe appearance is of a finely balanced situation but what is happening behind the scenes?
It looks as though the Sunday Papers will give the direction that the insurrection is taking.
Whatever. Brown is severely damaged. He cannot create any space to build a platform for policy and his credibility is gone, beyond any chance of recovery.
I am of the opinion that the Labour Party is already in a worse state than the Conservatives just prior to the '97 election.
TrevorsDen
September 13th, 2008 1:15pm Report this commentCue the 'Dambusters march'
The first bouncing bomb has exploded - cracks are appearing in the dam wall, there is a seepage of support.
'Come in P for Popsy'
Time for conservatives to consider their strategy post-Brown. My point - for what it is worth - is that how can we believe or trust any new leader if they have blindly followed Gordon's lead all these years in the mistaken belief that he could walk on water.
mitch
September 13th, 2008 1:42pm Report this comment"Also because Reid is leaving politics he could couch an intervention as an act of loyalty to the party"
A seat in the lords will stay his tongue.
ingeborg
September 13th, 2008 3:13pm Report this commentNice one...you've even managed to find an MP plotting against Brown who doesn't exist: Graham Marshall.
Kelly
September 13th, 2008 10:52pm Report this commenthOW CAN YOU SAY IT HASN'T TAKEN OFF YET? IF THIS WAS HAPPENING IN THE TORY PARTY THE MEDIA WOULD BE GOING CRAZY SYING CAMERON HAS TO GO DESPITE THE FACT THE TORIES ARE IN OPPOSITION. WHY DO THE MEDIA AIDE AND ABET BROWN?
Jason Mc
September 13th, 2008 11:03pm Report this commentI suspect Siobhain McDonagh was given the green light to start the ball rolling by Reid. The Daily Mail reported that Blair held a 'house warming party' last week and Reid was in attendance. They also report that 'sources' say they were discussing how to get rid of Brown.
Austin Barry
September 13th, 2008 11:48pm Report this commentWe look upon Gordon's huge implacable monocular face, now grey with uncomprehending despair, surrounded by the ruins of his re-launches, his vision, his focus and realise that this is a man who was never really there: just ruthless, pointless, fruitless ambition fastened to a gloomy, anal aperture of a creature. How odd that of 60 million people only this strange, sad dreary monomaniac slouched forth to be its leader. Perhaps we are more pathetic than he...
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