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PM 'must face leader challenge' PM 'must face leader challenge'
(30 minutes later)
The general secretary of one of Britain's biggest trade unions has called for Gordon Brown to face a leadership challenge this autumn.The general secretary of one of Britain's biggest trade unions has called for Gordon Brown to face a leadership challenge this autumn.
Paul Kenny of the GMB said the prime minister should stand to gauge his own support within Labour. The GMB's Paul Kenny said MPs should make a "strong decision" ahead of the next general election.
The call follows party's defeat by the SNP in Glasgow East, previously one of the party's safest seats.The call follows party's defeat by the SNP in Glasgow East, previously one of the party's safest seats.
It also comes as Mr Brown is meeting Labour activists and union leaders to discuss future policy.It also comes as Mr Brown is meeting Labour activists and union leaders to discuss future policy.
Funding 'Unmitigated disaster'
Mr Kenny told the BBC that Labour MPs should hold a leadership contest this autumn to clear up questions surrounding Mr Brown's future.Mr Kenny told the BBC that Labour MPs should hold a leadership contest this autumn to clear up questions surrounding Mr Brown's future.
On the by-election, he said: "There's no point dressing it up. It was an unmitigated disaster."
The MPs have got to make a strong decision as to whether they want to go into an election with Gordon Brown or have a contest Paul Kenny, GMB
Mr Kenny added: "The reality is people gave a big thumbs down to the Labour Party. If you don't accept that, you've got nowhere to go."
He added that he understood it was normal Labour Party procedure to send out leadership nomination papers to its MPs over the summer, even if there was no challenge.
Mr Kenny also said that, if 20% nominated a rival contender, then there had to be a contest.
He said that "it is better to have the ballot and... see where we go...
"The MPs have got to make a strong decision as to whether they want to go into an election with Gordon Brown or have a contest."
Policy demands
Mr Brown was chosen as Labour leader last year, after his only rival - leftwinger John McDonnell - failed to amass enough support among MPs to go to a poll of party members and unions.Mr Brown was chosen as Labour leader last year, after his only rival - leftwinger John McDonnell - failed to amass enough support among MPs to go to a poll of party members and unions.
Mr Kenny's comments come as the unions, which now account for the vast majority of Labour funding, are reportedly putting about 100 demands on issues ranging from new rights for workers to free school meals for all primary school pupils.Mr Kenny's comments come as the unions, which now account for the vast majority of Labour funding, are reportedly putting about 100 demands on issues ranging from new rights for workers to free school meals for all primary school pupils.
The three-day Labour National Policy Forum will consider new ideas and amendments to current policies.The three-day Labour National Policy Forum will consider new ideas and amendments to current policies.
It brings together 55 Constituency Labour Parties and 30 trade unions, as well as other socialist movements.It brings together 55 Constituency Labour Parties and 30 trade unions, as well as other socialist movements.
It divides policy into six areas - Britain in the world; communities; crime and justice; education; health; prosperity.It divides policy into six areas - Britain in the world; communities; crime and justice; education; health; prosperity.
The SNP's victory in Glasgow East - by 365 votes - overturns a Labour majority of 13,507 at the last general election.The SNP's victory in Glasgow East - by 365 votes - overturns a Labour majority of 13,507 at the last general election.