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/7629822.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Is Brown still at risk from plotters? Is Brown still at risk from plotters?
(about 15 hours later)
Gordon Brown leaves the Labour conference stage By Iain Watson Political correspondent, BBC News, Labour conferenceGordon Brown leaves the Labour conference stage By Iain Watson Political correspondent, BBC News, Labour conference
Labour's strategists would like this to be the "unity" conference; a crescendo of vocal support for the prime minister to drown out the voices of the dozen or so "rebel" MPs who had called for a leadership contest.Labour's strategists would like this to be the "unity" conference; a crescendo of vocal support for the prime minister to drown out the voices of the dozen or so "rebel" MPs who had called for a leadership contest.
A former cabinet minster likened the event to Christmas Day in the trenches in the First World War - opposing sides playing together during a temporary truce just before hostilities resume.A former cabinet minster likened the event to Christmas Day in the trenches in the First World War - opposing sides playing together during a temporary truce just before hostilities resume.
But it is not clear, when battle is re-joined, if the big push will come quickly and decisively or if this will be a war of attrition.But it is not clear, when battle is re-joined, if the big push will come quickly and decisively or if this will be a war of attrition.
Certainly cabinet unity is a fragile commodity - at least one non-Blairite minister now believes that Gordon Brown has gone beyond tipping point - that he simply cannot recover sufficiently before the next election.Certainly cabinet unity is a fragile commodity - at least one non-Blairite minister now believes that Gordon Brown has gone beyond tipping point - that he simply cannot recover sufficiently before the next election.
That is despite some evidence that the wider public are warming -at least a little - to the idea that an ex-chancellor is the best man to be in charge during an economic crisis.That is despite some evidence that the wider public are warming -at least a little - to the idea that an ex-chancellor is the best man to be in charge during an economic crisis.
But it is those who are closer to former Prime Minister Tony Blair who believe the time to act has to be sooner rather than later.But it is those who are closer to former Prime Minister Tony Blair who believe the time to act has to be sooner rather than later.
Some want as many cabinet members as possible to wield the knife before the Glenrothes by election, expected in late October or early November.Some want as many cabinet members as possible to wield the knife before the Glenrothes by election, expected in late October or early November.
Tricks up sleeveTricks up sleeve
That is because expectations of the Labour result are so low they feel Mr Brown might stumble on - if the defeat looks less disastrous than the meltdown the party experienced in the previously safe Glasgow East seat this summer.That is because expectations of the Labour result are so low they feel Mr Brown might stumble on - if the defeat looks less disastrous than the meltdown the party experienced in the previously safe Glasgow East seat this summer.
But they are unlikely to have their wishes fulfilled.But they are unlikely to have their wishes fulfilled.
The prevailing view among the prime minister's internal opponents appears to be that there needs to be further evidence that he has failed to turn around Labour's fortunes - and that evidence will be the loss of Glenrothes (which incidentally is the neighbouring seat to Gordon Brown's own in Fife).The prevailing view among the prime minister's internal opponents appears to be that there needs to be further evidence that he has failed to turn around Labour's fortunes - and that evidence will be the loss of Glenrothes (which incidentally is the neighbouring seat to Gordon Brown's own in Fife).
Those modernisers are now confident that four - and possibly five - cabinet members will be prepared to go to Mr Brown after a by-election defeat and urge him to stand down.Those modernisers are now confident that four - and possibly five - cabinet members will be prepared to go to Mr Brown after a by-election defeat and urge him to stand down.
But the prime minister still has some tricks up his sleeve. Any recovery in the polls might make some of those cabinet members think twice about the timing.But the prime minister still has some tricks up his sleeve. Any recovery in the polls might make some of those cabinet members think twice about the timing.
He could also carry out a reshuffle before Glenrothes. But that would be a high risk move - a night of the long knives could trigger rather than head off any rebellion.He could also carry out a reshuffle before Glenrothes. But that would be a high risk move - a night of the long knives could trigger rather than head off any rebellion.
And some ministers and advisers close to Mr Brown are telling him to lead from the front, campaign in the Glenrothes by election himself and fight for his job.And some ministers and advisers close to Mr Brown are telling him to lead from the front, campaign in the Glenrothes by election himself and fight for his job.
It is a high risk strategy, but he lives in dangerous times and it would certainly make it impossible for any move against him before the by-election.It is a high risk strategy, but he lives in dangerous times and it would certainly make it impossible for any move against him before the by-election.
Unions to save Brown?Unions to save Brown?
The convention that prime ministers do not attend by elections would be overturned because as the neighbouring MP it's his job to lack after the constituents' interests until the vacancy in parliament is filled. The convention that prime ministers do not attend by elections would be overturned because as the neighbouring MP it's his job to look after the constituents' interests until the vacancy in parliament is filled.
And Scotland's first minster Alex Salmond will be a familiar figures on the streets of the new town.And Scotland's first minster Alex Salmond will be a familiar figures on the streets of the new town.
Even a narrow victory at Glenrothes - and possibly a narrow defeat might buy Mr Brown time until the European elections next year.Even a narrow victory at Glenrothes - and possibly a narrow defeat might buy Mr Brown time until the European elections next year.
If the economy and polling has improved by then he may yet lead Labour into the next election.If the economy and polling has improved by then he may yet lead Labour into the next election.
Supporters of David Miliband believe he is ready to 'step up to the plate' and take over if there's a vacancy, but his chances of doing so are reduced if he is seen to acting alongside the plotters.Supporters of David Miliband believe he is ready to 'step up to the plate' and take over if there's a vacancy, but his chances of doing so are reduced if he is seen to acting alongside the plotters.
So there is little he can do to hasten the prime minister's political demise.So there is little he can do to hasten the prime minister's political demise.
The trade unions are far from keen on him, seeing him as too close in style and substance to former prime minister Tony Blair.The trade unions are far from keen on him, seeing him as too close in style and substance to former prime minister Tony Blair.
So the unions may seek to prevent a Gordon Brown resignation, for fear of something worse.So the unions may seek to prevent a Gordon Brown resignation, for fear of something worse.
The joint leader of the unite union, Derek Simpson, wants a change of government policy not a change of leader and has called for Gordon Brown to sack critical cabinet ministers before they resign.The joint leader of the unite union, Derek Simpson, wants a change of government policy not a change of leader and has called for Gordon Brown to sack critical cabinet ministers before they resign.
So for all the talk - and the plotting - behind the scenes it is still not certain putsch will come to shove. But Labour's unity appears to end just outside the conference hall.So for all the talk - and the plotting - behind the scenes it is still not certain putsch will come to shove. But Labour's unity appears to end just outside the conference hall.