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Ministers rally to support Brown Ministers rally to support Brown
(about 1 hour later)
Three cabinet ministers have rallied to the prime minister's defence, insisting he is the right man for the job.Three cabinet ministers have rallied to the prime minister's defence, insisting he is the right man for the job.
Alistair Darling, Harriet Harman and John Denham declared their support for the beleaguered Gordon Brown in a Sunday tabloid newspaper. Alistair Darling, Harriet Harman and John Denham declared their support for the beleaguered Gordon Brown in the News of the World.
It follows Foreign Secretary David Miliband's article discussing Labour's future without mentioning Mr Brown.It follows Foreign Secretary David Miliband's article discussing Labour's future without mentioning Mr Brown.
Meanwhile, former cabinet minister Stephen Byers has echoed Mr Miliband's call for Labour to start afresh.Meanwhile, former cabinet minister Stephen Byers has echoed Mr Miliband's call for Labour to start afresh.
Mr Darling, the Chancellor, deputy leader Ms Harman and Skills Secretary Mr Denham issued a public vote of confidence in the prime minister in the News of the World. Mr Darling, the chancellor, deputy leader Ms Harman and skills secretary Mr Denham issued a public vote of confidence in the prime minister in the News of the World.
Ms Harman wrote that the party needs someone who has the ability to see Britain through the current economic downturn. Ms Harman wrote that the party needed someone who had the ability to see Britain through the current economic downturn.
Gordon Brown understands where the problems are coming from better than anybody else in British politics John DenhamGordon Brown understands where the problems are coming from better than anybody else in British politics John Denham
"When you face these kinds of global problems you need, as prime minister, someone who is respected on the international stage," she said. "When you face these kinds of global problems you need as prime minister someone who is respected," she said.
"Someone whose hard work and ability over the last 11 years has made Britain better off."Someone whose hard work and ability over the last 11 years has made Britain better off.
"That's why I've no doubt that Gordon Brown is the right person for the job." "Gordon Brown is the right person for the job."
'Political mountain' 'Understands problems'
Mr Darling praised his "determination and strong purpose", while Mr Denham called for an end to the leadership speculation. Mr Darling praised the prime minister's "determination and strong purpose", while Mr Denham called for an end to the leadership speculation.
"I think Gordon Brown understands where the problems are coming from better than anybody else in British politics, and what we are going to do about them," wrote Mr Denham."I think Gordon Brown understands where the problems are coming from better than anybody else in British politics, and what we are going to do about them," wrote Mr Denham.
The BBC's political correspondent Iain Watson says while none of them attack Mr Miliband directly, their intervention is likely to be seen as a rebuff to the Foreign Secretary following his Guardian newspaper article. The BBC's political correspondent Iain Watson says while none of them attack Mr Miliband directly, their intervention is likely to be seen as a rebuff to the foreign secretary following his Guardian newspaper article earlier this week.
He adds that is not clear whether declarations of public support highlight Mr Brown's strengths or are signs of his weakness.He adds that is not clear whether declarations of public support highlight Mr Brown's strengths or are signs of his weakness.
'Afternoon stroll' 'Worthy initiatives'
Speaking to the Observer, former transport minister Mr Byers said Labour had a "political mountain to climb in order to win the next election".Speaking to the Observer, former transport minister Mr Byers said Labour had a "political mountain to climb in order to win the next election".
He added that the prime minister's "multitude of small policies are more suited to a Sunday afternoon stroll". But instead "we have a multitude of small policies and worthy initiatives that are more suited to a Sunday afternoon stroll", he said.
"We must come forward with bold and ambitious policies that begin to change the terms of political debate by putting Labour on the front foot and the Tories on the defensive," he said. "We must come forward with bold and ambitious policies that begin to change the terms of political debate by putting Labour on the front foot and the Tories on the defensive."
Speculation over Mr Brown's position has raged since Labour's recent by-election defeat in Glasgow East.Speculation over Mr Brown's position has raged since Labour's recent by-election defeat in Glasgow East.
Even Sir Alan Sugar, entrepreneur and star of BBC1's The Apprentice, has spoken out about the prime minister's difficulties. On Saturday Sir Alan Sugar, entrepreneur and star of BBC1's The Apprentice, spoke out about the prime minister's difficulties.
He advised Mr Brown to "kick out" members of the government failing to support his leadership and said current tough economic conditions were not his fault. He advised Mr Brown to "kick out" members of the government failing to support his leadership, and said current tough economic conditions were not the prime minister's fault.