This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7416223.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Brown pledges 'clear direction' Brown faces leadership concerns
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has said he is the person to steer the economy through "difficult times", following Labour's defeat at the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. Gordon Brown has said he can steer Britain through "difficult" economic times - amid signs of growing backbench disquiet over his leadership.
Asked if he would remain Labour leader he said he would address economic problems with a "clear direction". Mr Brown reacted to Thursday's crushing by-election defeat in Crewe and Nantwich by stressing his economic record and pledging to listen.
He understood concerns over rising prices and whether he could tackle them adding: "I believe I can do so". But Labour MP Graham Stringer said the party needed a new leader to save it from "disaster" at the next election.
It comes as Labour MP Graham Stringer called for a leadership challenge to save Labour from electoral "disaster". And Alan Simpson said he had until the end of the year to "turn things round".
He told the BBC News Channel: "It is the responsibility of senior members of the cabinet to say we are going in the wrong direction" - and he said one of them should declare their intention to stand against Mr Brown. The Cabinet has been rallying round Mr Brown after the Tories' historic by-election victory - and brushing off suggestions that he is not the right person to lead Labour into the next general election.
"Without that we are heading for electoral disaster at the next election and I desperately want the Labour Party to win," he added. Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman, said the vast majority of Labour members were "solidly behind" Mr Brown.
'Discordant voices' 'Disaster'
Cabinet members have been rallying round Mr Brown in the wake of the by-election defeat, with his deputy, Harriet Harman, said the vast majority of Labour members were "solidly behind" Mr Brown.
But BBC political editor Nick Robinson said privately some ministers had expressed concerns about Mr Brown's leadership - one minister had compared the party's plight with that under Michael Foot's leadership.But BBC political editor Nick Robinson said privately some ministers had expressed concerns about Mr Brown's leadership - one minister had compared the party's plight with that under Michael Foot's leadership.
They are solidly behind Gordon Brown and what he stands for, which is a strong economy and a fair society Harriet HarmanDeputy Labour leader It is the responsibility of senior members of the Cabinet to say we are going in the wrong direction Graham StringerLabour MP
Ms Harman conceded on BBC Radio 4's Today programme there were "discordant voices" within the party. Graham Stringer earlier became the first Labour MP to call for Mr Brown to go, telling the BBC News Channel: "Is it more damaging for the party to change the leader or cross our fingers and hope that things get better?".
But she added: "The overwhelming majority of people within the Labour Party - and I speak to constituency chairs and secretaries up and down the country in my role as deputy leader - they are solidly behind Gordon Brown and what he stands for, which is a strong economy and a fair society. He said it was time for a senior Cabinet figure to mount a leadership bid to save the party from a "disaster" at the next election.
"And he's the man with the experience to make sure that happens." "It is the responsibility of senior members of the cabinet to say we are going in the wrong direction," he added.
No predictions Fellow backbencher Alan Simpson said voters were fed up with "cheap politics" and warned Mr Brown had until the end of this year to turn things around.
Conservative leader David Cameron said Labour had run a "backward looking" and "divisive" campaign: "It was in many ways the end of New Labour and I think it was a great mistake for them." "We have let voters down on some totemic issues," he said, naming post office closures, police pay and 10p tax.
And former Labour strategist Matthew Taylor told the BBC: "It's difficult to imagine a more inept campaign. On the one hand it seemed to be designed to undermine Gordon's image as being a man of substance and principle. 'Divisive campaign'
He said Mr Brown had "until the end of the year to change direction ...or I think it's the end of the pier".
Conservative leader David Cameron said Labour had run a "backward looking" and "divisive" by-election campaign: "It was in many ways the end of New Labour and I think it was a great mistake for them."
See more of the candidatesEnlarge ImageSee more of the candidatesEnlarge Image
"On the other hand it seemed to imply that Labour was more happy attacking the Conservatives on style and their class origins than on substance."
But Ms Harman said the result had not been "a judgment from voters about the campaign" or a judgment on the candidates - instead it was about "family finances and apprehension they fear about their prospects" which the government would address.But Ms Harman said the result had not been "a judgment from voters about the campaign" or a judgment on the candidates - instead it was about "family finances and apprehension they fear about their prospects" which the government would address.
She also said by-elections were not "good predictions of what's going to happen at a general election" and Labour had taken a "bigger hit" in several by-elections before the 2005 general election - but gone on to win.She also said by-elections were not "good predictions of what's going to happen at a general election" and Labour had taken a "bigger hit" in several by-elections before the 2005 general election - but gone on to win.
Labour strategists were insisting the by-election had been a "referendum" on the abolition of the 10p tax and voters' concerns over rising prices - not Mr Brown's leadership.
'Difficult times''Difficult times'
Speaking on a visit to Guy's and St Thomas' hospital, Mr Brown said he had got a "clear and unequivocal" message from voters in Crewe and Nantwich.Speaking on a visit to Guy's and St Thomas' hospital, Mr Brown said he had got a "clear and unequivocal" message from voters in Crewe and Nantwich.
"The message that we have got is that people are concerned. They're concerned about rising food prices, rising petrol prices. People are concerned, rightly, about gas and electricity bills," he said."The message that we have got is that people are concerned. They're concerned about rising food prices, rising petrol prices. People are concerned, rightly, about gas and electricity bills," he said.
"And I think the message that I have to get to people is this, that we are unequivocal and clear in our direction, that we're going to address and are addressing these problems. We will continue to do so."And I think the message that I have to get to people is this, that we are unequivocal and clear in our direction, that we're going to address and are addressing these problems. We will continue to do so.
"And my task is to steer the British economy through what have been very difficult times in every country of the world.""And my task is to steer the British economy through what have been very difficult times in every country of the world."
He was asked whether nervous Labour backbenchers might try to move against him, but replied the "task ahead" was to take the British economy through "difficult times".He was asked whether nervous Labour backbenchers might try to move against him, but replied the "task ahead" was to take the British economy through "difficult times".
On Thursday the Conservatives made their first by-election gain since 1982, winning the seat from Labour on a 17.6% swing.On Thursday the Conservatives made their first by-election gain since 1982, winning the seat from Labour on a 17.6% swing.
Labour left-winger John McDonnell, who failed to get enough Labour MPs backing him to challenge Mr Brown for the leadership last year, said Mr Brown's "re-launch" after the local elections had been a "disaster".Labour left-winger John McDonnell, who failed to get enough Labour MPs backing him to challenge Mr Brown for the leadership last year, said Mr Brown's "re-launch" after the local elections had been a "disaster".
"Things are just going from bad to worse for the government," he said."Things are just going from bad to worse for the government," he said.