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Brown to tackle business concerns Brown to tackle business concerns
(about 7 hours later)
Gordon Brown is to address business leaders in Glasgow as questions continue over his future as leader of the Labour government.Gordon Brown is to address business leaders in Glasgow as questions continue over his future as leader of the Labour government.
The Scottish CBI will be looking for answers on how he intends to deal with the economic slowdown.The Scottish CBI will be looking for answers on how he intends to deal with the economic slowdown.
Former home secretary Charles Clarke said Labour must change or face "utter destruction" at the next election.Former home secretary Charles Clarke said Labour must change or face "utter destruction" at the next election.
But there was no "Blairite plot" to oust Mr Brown, he wrote in the New Statesman magazine.But there was no "Blairite plot" to oust Mr Brown, he wrote in the New Statesman magazine.
Mr Brown is expected to reveal how the government will develop new policies to cope with rising energy prices combined with the credit crunch.Mr Brown is expected to reveal how the government will develop new policies to cope with rising energy prices combined with the credit crunch.
He will admit the government alone does not have adequate means to deal with the global economic crisis.He will admit the government alone does not have adequate means to deal with the global economic crisis.
He is also expected to outline long term measures to end Britain's dependence on oil.He is also expected to outline long term measures to end Britain's dependence on oil.
Earlier this week, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development forecast the economy would fall into recession by the end of the year.Earlier this week, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development forecast the economy would fall into recession by the end of the year.
Charles is not speaking for the bulk of the parliamentary Labour Party Helen Jones, Labour MPCharles is not speaking for the bulk of the parliamentary Labour Party Helen Jones, Labour MP
Chancellor Alastair Darling has already said the country is facing the worst economic conditions for 60 years.Chancellor Alastair Darling has already said the country is facing the worst economic conditions for 60 years.
The business community, and Labour MPs, will be hoping for clarity from Mr Brown on suggestions the government is considering a windfall tax on energy companies to help families pay their fuel bills.The business community, and Labour MPs, will be hoping for clarity from Mr Brown on suggestions the government is considering a windfall tax on energy companies to help families pay their fuel bills.
Mr Clarke's comments in this week's New Statesman come after a lukewarm response to the government's package to revive the housing market, including a stamp duty holiday for properties up to £175,000.Mr Clarke's comments in this week's New Statesman come after a lukewarm response to the government's package to revive the housing market, including a stamp duty holiday for properties up to £175,000.
Mr Clarke, sacked as home secretary 2006, said there was a "deep and widely shared concern" among Labour MPs.Mr Clarke, sacked as home secretary 2006, said there was a "deep and widely shared concern" among Labour MPs.
In his article, he calls Mr Brown's decision - in his last Budget as chancellor in 2007 - to abolish the 10p rate of income tax "disastrous and unfair".In his article, he calls Mr Brown's decision - in his last Budget as chancellor in 2007 - to abolish the 10p rate of income tax "disastrous and unfair".
'Not a guide''Not a guide'
Mr Clarke, MP for Norwich South, said Tony Blair had been an "outstanding" prime minister, but added: "Blairism as a concept offers little by way of rescue. It is certainly not a guide to action.Mr Clarke, MP for Norwich South, said Tony Blair had been an "outstanding" prime minister, but added: "Blairism as a concept offers little by way of rescue. It is certainly not a guide to action.
"Equally, however, it is inaccurate and misleading to dismiss as some kind of Blairite rump those who fear that Labour's current course will lead to utter destruction at the next general election.""Equally, however, it is inaccurate and misleading to dismiss as some kind of Blairite rump those who fear that Labour's current course will lead to utter destruction at the next general election."
He said there was "no Blairite plot, despite rumours and persistent newspaper reports".He said there was "no Blairite plot, despite rumours and persistent newspaper reports".
New Statesman political editor's view
"There is, however, a deep and widely shared concern - which does not derive from ideology - that Labour is destined to disaster if we go on as we are, combined with a determination that we will not permit that to happen.""There is, however, a deep and widely shared concern - which does not derive from ideology - that Labour is destined to disaster if we go on as we are, combined with a determination that we will not permit that to happen."
New Statesman political editor Nick Brown
Mr Clarke, seen as a leading Blair supporter, has previously been critical of Mr Brown. In January, he accused Labour of suffering from a "debilitating" lack of direction under him.Mr Clarke, seen as a leading Blair supporter, has previously been critical of Mr Brown. In January, he accused Labour of suffering from a "debilitating" lack of direction under him.
Senior Labour backbencher Helen Jones said Mr Clarke was not representative of most Labour MPs.Senior Labour backbencher Helen Jones said Mr Clarke was not representative of most Labour MPs.
She said: "This week our Labour government has started to outline further initiatives to help hard working families - help for first time buyers, and a £120 tax cut this month which will help pay the bills.She said: "This week our Labour government has started to outline further initiatives to help hard working families - help for first time buyers, and a £120 tax cut this month which will help pay the bills.
"That's the sort of thing the public wants to hear from all Labour MPs."That's the sort of thing the public wants to hear from all Labour MPs.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"Charles is not speaking for the bulk of the parliamentary Labour Party.""Charles is not speaking for the bulk of the parliamentary Labour Party."
BBC political correspondent Jo Coburn said although this was not the first time Mr Clarke had publicly criticised the prime minister, he had used very strong language this time. And fellow Labour MP and former minister Nigel Griffiths told BBC Radio 4's Today that Mr Clarke had failed to come up with any alternative policies.
"This re-opens the whole question about Gordon Brown's leadership and will reignite the debate amongst Labour MPs as to whether there is a need to change the man at the top," she said. He said: "This is not the first time that he's gone for the old Dad's Army 'we're all doomed', without coming up with any alternative.
"He sort of lobs a grenade into the party and then backs away. And he did have his chance to come up with alternative policies and he hasn't come up with them."
BBC political correspondent Jo Coburn said although this was not the first time Mr Clarke had publicly criticised the prime minister, he had used very strong language this time and had reopened the issue of Mr Brown's leadership.