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/7527506.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Harman: Labour focused on economy Harman: Labour focused on economy
(40 minutes later)
Labour is focusing on leading the country, not plotting against Prime Minister Gordon Brown, deputy leader Harriet Harman has insisted.Labour is focusing on leading the country, not plotting against Prime Minister Gordon Brown, deputy leader Harriet Harman has insisted.
Britain was lucky to have Mr Brown at the helm during the present economic difficulties, Ms Harman told the BBC.Britain was lucky to have Mr Brown at the helm during the present economic difficulties, Ms Harman told the BBC.
It would be "wrong to respond to a very big economic challenge by turning it into a political crisis," she added.It would be "wrong to respond to a very big economic challenge by turning it into a political crisis," she added.
Meanwhile, shadow foreign secretary William Hague said Labour had "clearly lost the capacity to govern".Meanwhile, shadow foreign secretary William Hague said Labour had "clearly lost the capacity to govern".
The BBC has reported that some senior Labour Party figures, including former ministers, are considering possible options for unseating Mr Brown.The BBC has reported that some senior Labour Party figures, including former ministers, are considering possible options for unseating Mr Brown.
And numerous reports of plotting in the party following the by-election defeat at Glasgow East early on Friday have appeared in the press.And numerous reports of plotting in the party following the by-election defeat at Glasgow East early on Friday have appeared in the press.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr show, Ms Harman said she was not aware of any plotting at the Labour policy forum in Coventry.Speaking on the Andrew Marr show, Ms Harman said she was not aware of any plotting at the Labour policy forum in Coventry.
'Phone Gordon''Phone Gordon'
She said: "At the conference this weekend that we've been having, I have to say that people's focus has not been on trying to create a political crisis out of an economic problem.She said: "At the conference this weekend that we've been having, I have to say that people's focus has not been on trying to create a political crisis out of an economic problem.
"People have been very focused on looking at what the government is doing at the moment in our policies, in terms of employment and public services and also looking to the future.""People have been very focused on looking at what the government is doing at the moment in our policies, in terms of employment and public services and also looking to the future."
"That is absolutely, honestly the situation as I can describe what's been happening this weekend.""That is absolutely, honestly the situation as I can describe what's been happening this weekend."
Gordon Brown's experience at the Treasury meant he was the best person the lead the country through the current economic problems, she added.Gordon Brown's experience at the Treasury meant he was the best person the lead the country through the current economic problems, she added.
"You know, people ring up Gordon Brown to get advice from all around the world on economic circumstances."You know, people ring up Gordon Brown to get advice from all around the world on economic circumstances.
William Hague on Gordon Brown's 'failed' goverment
"He is well respected, and therefore well placed to precipitate the international action we need, as well as take the action we need here at home.""He is well respected, and therefore well placed to precipitate the international action we need, as well as take the action we need here at home."
Mr Hague said Labour was "increasingly losing the authority to govern.Mr Hague said Labour was "increasingly losing the authority to govern.
"It's now been defeated in elections in every part of the country and I think they have come to the point where the best thing they could do is call a general election and let a proper government take charge," he added."It's now been defeated in elections in every part of the country and I think they have come to the point where the best thing they could do is call a general election and let a proper government take charge," he added.
BBC political correspondent Vicky Young said there was currently no agreement between the plotters over how Mr Brown should go or what should replace him.BBC political correspondent Vicky Young said there was currently no agreement between the plotters over how Mr Brown should go or what should replace him.
"That should be crumb of comfort for him, there's no one coming forward with another agenda," she said."That should be crumb of comfort for him, there's no one coming forward with another agenda," she said.