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Senior ministers get behind Brown Senior ministers get behind Brown
(about 1 hour later)
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has become the latest senior minister to express his support for Gordon Brown. Cabinet ministers have been urging MPs to back Gordon Brown following Labour's defeat at the Glasgow East by-election.
The PM's future is the subject of renewed speculation following Labour's defeat in the Glasgow East by-election. Justice Secretary Jack Straw had been touted as a caretaker leader but he has made it known he wants Labour to close ranks behind the prime minister.
Mr Straw has been touted as a possible challenger to Mr Brown, but he has let it be known he wants Labour to close ranks behind the prime minister.
Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband said Mr Brown was the right leader during the current economic downturn.Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband said Mr Brown was the right leader during the current economic downturn.
However, GMB union leader Paul Kenny said Labour backbenchers should "get on with it" if they wanted Mr Brown out. But GMB union leader Paul Kenny said Labour backbenchers should "get on with it" if they wanted Mr Brown out.
'Right man''Right man'
Several MPs are reported to have urged Mr Straw to lead a challenge to Mr Brown's leadership in the autumn unless the party's fortunes improve.Several MPs are reported to have urged Mr Straw to lead a challenge to Mr Brown's leadership in the autumn unless the party's fortunes improve.
But the BBC's political correspondent Vicky Young said friends of Mr Straw have insisted he is urging disillusioned MPs to "calm down" and refrain from a long and damaging bout of "navel-gazing".But the BBC's political correspondent Vicky Young said friends of Mr Straw have insisted he is urging disillusioned MPs to "calm down" and refrain from a long and damaging bout of "navel-gazing".
Mr Miliband has dismissed reports that colleagues wanted Mr Brown to stand aside.Mr Miliband has dismissed reports that colleagues wanted Mr Brown to stand aside.
If people are concerned about food and fuel prices and what's happening with the world economy, changing the leader changes nothing David Blunkett, MP for Sheffield, BrightsideIf people are concerned about food and fuel prices and what's happening with the world economy, changing the leader changes nothing David Blunkett, MP for Sheffield, Brightside
He told BBC's Newsnight: "I do not recognise those comments from the Cabinet colleagues I talk to. He told the BBC's Newsnight: "I do not recognise those comments from the Cabinet colleagues I talk to.
"People realise there is a big collective responsibility here: the collective responsibility is not to turn inwards but to turn outwards and understand the concerns of the country.""People realise there is a big collective responsibility here: the collective responsibility is not to turn inwards but to turn outwards and understand the concerns of the country."
He urged Labour MPs to keep faith with the prime minister.He urged Labour MPs to keep faith with the prime minister.
He said: "'Who do you want to take Britain through a downturn?', this is the question people have to ask.He said: "'Who do you want to take Britain through a downturn?', this is the question people have to ask.
"The most successful chancellor since the Second World War by most accounts, that's one of the reasons why I think Gordon's the right man for the job.""The most successful chancellor since the Second World War by most accounts, that's one of the reasons why I think Gordon's the right man for the job."
Unhappy readingUnhappy reading
Mr Kenny said: "Most of the speculation and tittle-tattle has been about when he's going to go, who's going to do him in, what's the next big landmark event that will force him to resign.Mr Kenny said: "Most of the speculation and tittle-tattle has been about when he's going to go, who's going to do him in, what's the next big landmark event that will force him to resign.
"The MPs have got to have the courage of their convictions if they've got them, and my advice to them is 'get on with it'.""The MPs have got to have the courage of their convictions if they've got them, and my advice to them is 'get on with it'."
Former home secretary David Blunkett told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that unlike the Conservatives, Labour was not a "hatchet job" party which would ditch a leader at the "drop of a hat".Former home secretary David Blunkett told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that unlike the Conservatives, Labour was not a "hatchet job" party which would ditch a leader at the "drop of a hat".
"If people are concerned about food and fuel prices and what's happening with the world economy, changing the leader changes nothing," he said."If people are concerned about food and fuel prices and what's happening with the world economy, changing the leader changes nothing," he said.
Labour backbencher Ian Gibson, said morale in the party was "gloomy". Reports suggest Jack Straw is being urged to lead a revolt
"It's not much fun being in supermarkets being shouted at by people," he said. "That is very new after 10 or 11 years." He urged Labour MPs to get back into the neighbourhoods they represent and rebuild the party's fortunes.
Mohammad Sarwar, Labour MP for Glasgow Central, said he was 100% behind the prime minister, and blamed the world economy for the government's unpopularity.
Former transport minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said he believed there was no appetite for a leadership contest.
"There will be one or two individuals calling for that, of course there will," he said. "But I don't think there's any stomach for that."
He urged the prime minister to "come out fighting".
BBC News political correspondent David Thompson said Saturday morning's papers would not make happy reading for Mr Brown.BBC News political correspondent David Thompson said Saturday morning's papers would not make happy reading for Mr Brown.
They feature a series of reports that behind the scenes a raft of MPs and even some ministers think their leader should stand aside for the good of the party. They feature a series of reports that behind the scenes a number of MPs and even some ministers think their leader should stand aside for the good of the party.
'Conspiracy theories''Conspiracy theories'
Labour is holding its National Policy Forum at Warwick University, where ministers, unions and activists will thrash out a blueprint for the next election manifesto.Labour is holding its National Policy Forum at Warwick University, where ministers, unions and activists will thrash out a blueprint for the next election manifesto.
John Hannett, general secretary of the UK's fourth biggest union Usdaw, is attending the meeting and he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it would be about "policy, not conspiracy theories".John Hannett, general secretary of the UK's fourth biggest union Usdaw, is attending the meeting and he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it would be about "policy, not conspiracy theories".
While he admitted that Labour had fallen on its hardest times for years, he said it was about "holding our nerve and debating the real issues".While he admitted that Labour had fallen on its hardest times for years, he said it was about "holding our nerve and debating the real issues".
The SNP won Glasgow East - previously considered one of Labour's safest seats - by 365 votes, achieving a 22.54% swing.The SNP won Glasgow East - previously considered one of Labour's safest seats - by 365 votes, achieving a 22.54% swing.
Parliamentary Labour Party chairman Tony Lloyd said replacing Mr Brown was not the answer.Parliamentary Labour Party chairman Tony Lloyd said replacing Mr Brown was not the answer.
But Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester Blackley, urged Cabinet ministers to hold a debate on the party's leadership.But Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester Blackley, urged Cabinet ministers to hold a debate on the party's leadership.
Conservative leader David Cameron has demanded that the prime minister call a general election after he returns from his summer holiday.Conservative leader David Cameron has demanded that the prime minister call a general election after he returns from his summer holiday.