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Labour rebels told to back down | Labour rebels told to back down |
(40 minutes later) | |
Senior Labour figures have been warning MPs not to plot against Prime Minister Gordon Brown, after the party's shock defeat at the Glasgow East by-election. | Senior Labour figures have been warning MPs not to plot against Prime Minister Gordon Brown, after the party's shock defeat at the Glasgow East by-election. |
Ex-home secretary David Blunkett told backbenchers demanding a leadership contest to "grow up". | Ex-home secretary David Blunkett told backbenchers demanding a leadership contest to "grow up". |
Justice Secretary Jack Straw had been touted as a caretaker leader, but he has made it known he wants Labour to close ranks behind Mr Brown. | Justice Secretary Jack Straw had been touted as a caretaker leader, but he has made it known he wants Labour to close ranks behind Mr Brown. |
However, he is yet to come out publicly in support of the prime minister. | However, he is yet to come out publicly in support of the prime minister. |
The BBC's Nick Robinson says Mr Straw is said to be urging rebels to calm down, but has not come out with a "full-throated" declaration of approval either. | The BBC's Nick Robinson says Mr Straw is said to be urging rebels to calm down, but has not come out with a "full-throated" declaration of approval either. |
'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. |
Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband has dismissed reports that colleagues wanted Mr Brown to stand aside. | Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband has dismissed reports that colleagues wanted Mr Brown to stand aside. |
The justice secretary has not called on the Labour Party to back Gordon Brown Nick Robinson's blog | The justice secretary has not called on the Labour Party to back Gordon Brown Nick Robinson's blog |
He told the BBC's Newsnight: "I do not recognise those comments from the Cabinet colleagues I talk to." | |
He urged Labour MPs to keep faith with the prime minister, who he called the "right man" to take Britain through the current economic downturn. | He urged Labour MPs to keep faith with the prime minister, who he called the "right man" to take Britain through the current economic downturn. |
Labour is holding its National Policy Forum at Warwick University, where ministers, unions and activists are thrashing out a blueprint for the next election manifesto. | |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
The BBC's Iain Watson is at the forum and he said informal discussions were going on about the prime minister's future. | |
John Hannett, general secretary of the UK's fourth biggest union Usdaw, is attending the meeting and he told the BBC it would be about "policy, not conspiracy theories". | |
While he admitted Labour had fallen on its hardest times for years, he said it was about "holding our nerve and debating the real issues". | |
GMB union leader Paul Kenny said Labour backbenchers should "get on with it" if they wanted Mr Brown out. | GMB union leader Paul Kenny said Labour backbenchers should "get on with it" if they wanted Mr Brown out. |
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". |
Reports suggest Jack Straw is being urged to lead a revolt | |
"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. |
He urged Labour MPs to get back into the neighbourhoods they represent and rebuild the party's fortunes. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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". | He urged the prime minister to "come out fighting". |
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. |
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. |
Meanwhile, the prime minister received reassurance from US presidential candidate Barack Obama, who is visiting the UK as part of his overseas tour. | |
Speaking outside No 10 after two hours of talks, Senator Obama said: "You're always more popular before you're actually in charge. | |
"Once you're responsible then you're going to make some people unhappy." |