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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Number 10 disowns 'shambles' memo | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Downing Street has denied any connection with an internal memo suggesting the government has lost its grip and is seen as a "shambles". | |
| The Mail on Sunday claims the document was prepared for the prime minister by senior aides. | |
| It suggests Labour should either unite behind Gordon Brown or pick a much younger new leader. | |
| Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dismissed the memo as the work of a "teenybopper" not a significant figure. | |
| Mr Blair's spokesman said: "This is not a Downing Street memo." | Mr Blair's spokesman said: "This is not a Downing Street memo." |
| He added: "It was not written by any of the prime minister's staff and it most certainly does not reflect his views." | He added: "It was not written by any of the prime minister's staff and it most certainly does not reflect his views." |
| Disaster | |
| Meanwhile, speaking on the BBC's Sunday AM programme, Mr Prescott added: "It's been emphatically denied by Number 10 that it is anybody in Number 10. | Meanwhile, speaking on the BBC's Sunday AM programme, Mr Prescott added: "It's been emphatically denied by Number 10 that it is anybody in Number 10. |
| "I can't be sure that it might not be a teenybopper on the side giving some kind of information and advice." | "I can't be sure that it might not be a teenybopper on the side giving some kind of information and advice." |
| The document allegedly expresses concern that the party is viewed as riven by "internal conflicts" and lacking "grip and competence on vital issues". | The document allegedly expresses concern that the party is viewed as riven by "internal conflicts" and lacking "grip and competence on vital issues". |
| And it is said to insist that the party is running out of time to avoid electoral disaster. | And it is said to insist that the party is running out of time to avoid electoral disaster. |
| Downing Street sources also insisted that the memo had not been prepared by any of the prime minister's special advisers or other Labour Party-funded staff in his personal office. | Downing Street sources also insisted that the memo had not been prepared by any of the prime minister's special advisers or other Labour Party-funded staff in his personal office. |
| 'Internal conflicts' | |
| The memo, leaked to the Mail on Sunday, says Labour's only hope of recovery may be to abandon Mr Brown and "move to a new generation" by picking a younger leader. | |
| But it also warns of the dangers of being '"disloyal" to the "greatly respected" Chancellor. | |
| It goes on to say the public believes Labour is riven by "internal conflicts" and shows a "lack of grip and competence on key issues" such as Iraq, the NHS and immigration. | |
| The memo, which the newspaper claims was written in the past few weeks, also contradicts Mr Blair's public statements dismissing Mr Cameron as a political lightweight with no hope of winning the next general election. | |
| It says the Tories have big opinion poll leads on "tax, crime and immigration," with Labour no longer having "a measurable lead on any major issue". | |
| It adds: "The government is seen as a shambles. It is not just Labour internal conflicts but a lack of grip and competence on key issues. Iraq is a potent and raw issue, so is the NHS, immigration and crime. We have lost control of the big issues and are not delivering." |