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/7420191.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Minister warns off PM 'vultures' | Minister warns off PM 'vultures' |
(about 23 hours later) | |
A government minister has told the "vultures" around Gordon Brown to stop raising questions about his future. | A government minister has told the "vultures" around Gordon Brown to stop raising questions about his future. |
Home Office minister Tony McNulty said Britain needed a "man of substance" to lead it through tough economic times. | Home Office minister Tony McNulty said Britain needed a "man of substance" to lead it through tough economic times. |
Former minister Michael Meacher has become the latest Labour MP to call on Mr Brown to change direction or resign. | Former minister Michael Meacher has become the latest Labour MP to call on Mr Brown to change direction or resign. |
But Mr McNulty said the prime minister should not step aside. He told GMTV: "The vultures should clear off because there is no corpse around." | But Mr McNulty said the prime minister should not step aside. He told GMTV: "The vultures should clear off because there is no corpse around." |
Tories 'floundering' | Tories 'floundering' |
Mr McNulty was among the ministers to rally behind Mr Brown, who is under pressure following Labour's defeat in last week's Crewe and Nantwich by-election and poor results in the May local elections. | Mr McNulty was among the ministers to rally behind Mr Brown, who is under pressure following Labour's defeat in last week's Crewe and Nantwich by-election and poor results in the May local elections. |
He said: "Nine, six months ago Gordon Brown could do no wrong - he was 20 points ahead, Cameron was floundering because of the grammar school issue and everything else. | He said: "Nine, six months ago Gordon Brown could do no wrong - he was 20 points ahead, Cameron was floundering because of the grammar school issue and everything else. |
Mr Brown has got to indicate a major change in direction before we get to the Labour Party conference Michael Meacher MP | Mr Brown has got to indicate a major change in direction before we get to the Labour Party conference Michael Meacher MP |
"Things are in a real flux. We have had 10 years of real economic growth and prosperity in this country. | "Things are in a real flux. We have had 10 years of real economic growth and prosperity in this country. |
"We are now going through tough times and people need to understand who is the man of substance to take us through those tough times." | "We are now going through tough times and people need to understand who is the man of substance to take us through those tough times." |
Mr McNulty's intervention came after former minister Michael Meacher said Mr Brown needed to change the government's direction, or stand aside for someone else who will. | Mr McNulty's intervention came after former minister Michael Meacher said Mr Brown needed to change the government's direction, or stand aside for someone else who will. |
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Mr Meacher said that Labour could not win the General Election expected in 2010 on its current policy platform. | Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Mr Meacher said that Labour could not win the General Election expected in 2010 on its current policy platform. |
He said Mr Brown knew the "writing is on the wall" and that Labour was in the "last chance saloon". | |
Mr Meacher said: "He has got to indicate a major change in direction before we get to [the Labour Party] conference. I believe he can do that. I think he will find it difficult, but I think he is the right man to do it at this point. | Mr Meacher said: "He has got to indicate a major change in direction before we get to [the Labour Party] conference. I believe he can do that. I think he will find it difficult, but I think he is the right man to do it at this point. |
"If he can't do it or won't do it, then he needs to give way to someone who will do it, because I don't believe with this current direction of government policy that we can win." | "If he can't do it or won't do it, then he needs to give way to someone who will do it, because I don't believe with this current direction of government policy that we can win." |
The weekend saw a succession of senior party figures backing the prime minister amid media reports that Cabinet colleagues may be discussing replacing Mr Brown as leader. | The weekend saw a succession of senior party figures backing the prime minister amid media reports that Cabinet colleagues may be discussing replacing Mr Brown as leader. |
Previous version
1
Next version