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PM hits back over leadership talk PM hits back over leadership talk
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown has struck a defiant note ahead of this weekend's Labour Party conference in Manchester.Gordon Brown has struck a defiant note ahead of this weekend's Labour Party conference in Manchester.
He urged Labour MPs to focus on core values and said "we can come through this difficult time".He urged Labour MPs to focus on core values and said "we can come through this difficult time".
And in an interview with Sky News, he said he would not be forced out by rebels and warned the party "this is not the time for faint hearts".And in an interview with Sky News, he said he would not be forced out by rebels and warned the party "this is not the time for faint hearts".
It comes as a poll of Labour's grassroots members suggests the majority want him to stand down. It comes as a survey of Labour members and supporters suggests the majority want him to stand down.
The poll, for the Independent newspaper, suggested 54% of party members did not want Mr Brown to lead them into the next general election. The poll, for the Independent newspaper, which was carried out by e-mail, suggested 54% of party members and supporters did not want Mr Brown to lead them into the next general election.
The prime minister's personal rating was also lower than almost every other member of his cabinet, the survey found.The prime minister's personal rating was also lower than almost every other member of his cabinet, the survey found.
'Further resignations''Further resignations'
Labour is thought likely to deflect calls for a leadership challenge in Manchester by saying it would be a self-indulgent distraction at at time of economic crisis.Labour is thought likely to deflect calls for a leadership challenge in Manchester by saying it would be a self-indulgent distraction at at time of economic crisis.
Ministers are also expected to stress Gordon Brown's experience at handling the economy.Ministers are also expected to stress Gordon Brown's experience at handling the economy.
Mr Brown, who is meeting Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in Downing Street, stressed the "decisive action" the government had taken over the rescue of mortgage lending giant HBOS by Lloyds TSB.Mr Brown, who is meeting Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in Downing Street, stressed the "decisive action" the government had taken over the rescue of mortgage lending giant HBOS by Lloyds TSB.
He told a joint press conference in Downing Street he is now pushing for co-ordinated international action to regulate the financial markets.He told a joint press conference in Downing Street he is now pushing for co-ordinated international action to regulate the financial markets.
Harriet Harman criticised MPs for making an "error of judgement"Harriet Harman criticised MPs for making an "error of judgement"
"One thing is absolutely clear - we will do everything in our power to ensure the stability of the system," he told reporters."One thing is absolutely clear - we will do everything in our power to ensure the stability of the system," he told reporters.
In the past week, Mr Brown has faced protests by backbench MPs and junior members of his government calling for a leadership contest, culminating with the resignation of Scottish Office minister David Cairns.In the past week, Mr Brown has faced protests by backbench MPs and junior members of his government calling for a leadership contest, culminating with the resignation of Scottish Office minister David Cairns.
And he was warned on Thursday that he may face further resignations at the party conference.And he was warned on Thursday that he may face further resignations at the party conference.
Ministerial aide Roberta Blackman-Woods accused the 12 MPs who have spoken out against his leadership in recent days of trying to "destabilise" the government and urged them to stop.Ministerial aide Roberta Blackman-Woods accused the 12 MPs who have spoken out against his leadership in recent days of trying to "destabilise" the government and urged them to stop.
But she told the BBC: "It may be that there will be other resignations."But she told the BBC: "It may be that there will be other resignations."
But in an interview with Sky News, Mr Brown dismissed talk of a leadership contest.But in an interview with Sky News, Mr Brown dismissed talk of a leadership contest.
He said: "I am not going to be diverted by a few people making complaints. That is the stuff of politics. I get on with the business of government.He said: "I am not going to be diverted by a few people making complaints. That is the stuff of politics. I get on with the business of government.
"You go through periods. Sometimes you are popular, sometimes people resent the decisions you make and sometimes people are disappointed."You go through periods. Sometimes you are popular, sometimes people resent the decisions you make and sometimes people are disappointed.
"You always get that. You take the rough with the smooth.''"You always get that. You take the rough with the smooth.''
'Error of judgement''Error of judgement'
Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman also rallied strongly to Mr Brown in an appearance on BBC One's Question Time.Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman also rallied strongly to Mr Brown in an appearance on BBC One's Question Time.
In a marked change of tone from some of her Cabinet colleagues, who have been saying they understood MPs' concerns, she said she thought the rebels had made an "error of judgement" in calling for a contest.In a marked change of tone from some of her Cabinet colleagues, who have been saying they understood MPs' concerns, she said she thought the rebels had made an "error of judgement" in calling for a contest.
Ms Harman said: "I think if people are worried about their job or worried about their savings, the idea that we say our priority is to have an internal leadership election, I think people would think that was completely wrong.Ms Harman said: "I think if people are worried about their job or worried about their savings, the idea that we say our priority is to have an internal leadership election, I think people would think that was completely wrong.
"So I know what they're saying and I think that they are making an error of judgement.""So I know what they're saying and I think that they are making an error of judgement."
She added: "I don't think there is going to be a leadership election, I don't think there should be a leadership election.She added: "I don't think there is going to be a leadership election, I don't think there should be a leadership election.
"I don't want any of my colleagues to have to start engaging in discussion about a hypothetical leadership election which is not going to happen, so I'm not going to start.""I don't want any of my colleagues to have to start engaging in discussion about a hypothetical leadership election which is not going to happen, so I'm not going to start."
In an eve-of-conference letter to Labour MPs, Mr Brown urged them to "restate the case for our party and values".In an eve-of-conference letter to Labour MPs, Mr Brown urged them to "restate the case for our party and values".
He said voters needed to see the choice at the next election was between "a Conservative party which still believes in helping the few and not the many and a Labour party which believes in fairness and opportunity for all and has the policies to deliver them".He said voters needed to see the choice at the next election was between "a Conservative party which still believes in helping the few and not the many and a Labour party which believes in fairness and opportunity for all and has the policies to deliver them".