Downing Street desperate to look tough
Brian Cullen 6:01pm
Two bits of news have emerged this afternoon that indicate Number 10 really wants to strike a strong pose on the Labour 'rebellion’ – but appears to be making a ham of it.
1) Firing someone who’s already quit. News emerged this morning that Brown had 'fired' forestry envoy Barry Gardiner MP for adding his voice to the rebels. Unfortunately for the PM, Guido has now broken the news that Gardiner had in fact resigned a couple days before Brown removed him.
2) Getting support – from the wrong people. Margaret Beckett has told potential rebel MPs to fall in line or the electorate would not forgive Labour. Unfortunately some of Brown’s cabinet (which, of course, Beckett isn’t a part of) isn’t quite so forceful. John Hutton – a potential leadership rival – said he “would not criticise” those who wanted a leadership debate.
Brown understandably wants to reassert Number 10’s authority, but the way he’s going about it is more Mr Bean than Stalin…
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Chuck Unsworth
September 15th, 2008 6:26pm Report this commentLa Beckett really hasn't got it has she? What does she mean by 'or' the electorate would not forgive Labour? Does she not understand that is exactly how the electorate feel right now? There's no 'or' about it. What Labour needs to do - and rapidly - is admit fault and make amends. But they are far too arrogant and politcally stupid to do that.
Then again, Beckett's always found it difficult to keep up with things. Dragging the caravan about must slow her up a bit.
Bernard from Horsham
September 15th, 2008 7:27pm Report this commentSaw a picture of Gordon in the Evening Standard. He looks absolutely terrible. One starts to feel sorry for him looking so haunted......., but then one remembers the damage he has done to this country in the pursuit of power and the obtaining thereof.
mitch
September 15th, 2008 7:28pm Report this commentFirst we had the pride now we have the fall.
Emily
September 15th, 2008 7:54pm Report this commentCouple of other crackers - a facebook group set up by erstwhile Brown brown-noser, Luke Akehurst, called We Don't Want A Leadership Election has been hijacked by Tories extoling the benefits of Brown to their cause. Couldn't have scripted it better!
JimBob
September 15th, 2008 9:25pm Report this commentAccording to the Beeb an 'unnamed' senior minister is about to summon up the courage to resign-now I wonder who it could be?
Dirty Euro
September 15th, 2008 10:30pm Report this commentI know who the unnamed minister is.
He is better known as unnanmed minister.
NorthernJohn
September 16th, 2008 10:30am Report this commentForestry envoy??!!
Jack Burton on The Pork Chop Express
September 16th, 2008 11:53am Report this commentAn "unnamed senior minister"? I wonder if this allegation is better sourced than "a senior intelligence service source".
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