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PM's new cabinet looking forward Brown's new cabinet meet in No 10
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown is to hold a meeting with his reshuffled cabinet for the first time, following a difficult week for the Labour Party. Gordon Brown is meeting with his reshuffled cabinet for the first time, following a week of speculation about his future as prime minister.
It comes after Labour suffered disastrous European election results, taking only 15% of the vote.It comes after Labour suffered disastrous European election results, taking only 15% of the vote.
But at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on Monday the prime minister was applauded by most MPs. But at a meeting on Monday the PM was applauded by most Labour MPs.
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw has said that Mr Brown's "style of leadership" must change. And Foreign Secretary David Miliband said MPs had "reached a settled view" adding: "The Labour Party doesn't want a new leader. There is no vacancy."
He said Mr Brown appeared to understand he needed "to behave in a more collegiate way". He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was no challenger to Mr Brown and the "leading candidate", Health Secretary Alan Johnson, had backed the PM "to the hilt".
"I think he's acknowledged that the style of leadership needs to change," he said. 'Stand aside'
"We are not going to hand over a landslide to a Tory Party that doesn't have a clue how to take this country forward."
Ministers have started arriving in Downing Street for the weekly cabinet meeting.
I said what I said, I stand by it James Purnell
James Purnell, who quit as work and pensions secretary and called for Mr Brown to "stand aside" told the BBC he did not regret his decision.
He said: "For me it was a very personal decision, I just knew I couldn't wake up on Friday and say something which I didn't think was the case.
"I said what I said, I stand by it, of course I can be happy if I turn out to be proven wrong and Gordon Brown leads the Labour Party to victory at the next election.
"I've got complete respect for people who stayed in the government who believe that's the right thing to do."
'More collegiate'
He said he would be supportive and loyal to the party from the backbenches and would be concentrating on working for his constituents.
Speaking earlier Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said Mr Brown's "style of leadership" must change.
He said Mr Brown appeared to understand he needed "to behave in a more collegiate way... I think he's acknowledged that the style of leadership needs to change".
"I think he's acknowledged that the way that Number 10 has been operating has not been in the interests of him or the Labour government.""I think he's acknowledged that the way that Number 10 has been operating has not been in the interests of him or the Labour government."
Labour MP John McFall, chairman of the Commons treasury committee, agreed there was "a lot of frustration" among MPs who felt alienated by the "hierarchical" system within the party.Labour MP John McFall, chairman of the Commons treasury committee, agreed there was "a lot of frustration" among MPs who felt alienated by the "hierarchical" system within the party.
He can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup Conservative leader David Cameron on Gordon Brown Byers joins calls for PM to quit UKIP beats Labour to second placeHe can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup Conservative leader David Cameron on Gordon Brown Byers joins calls for PM to quit UKIP beats Labour to second place
"There must be much closer engagement there and the prime minister said he will do that," he added."There must be much closer engagement there and the prime minister said he will do that," he added.
'No support'
Environment minister Jane Kennedy became the latest minister to resign her post on Monday ahead of the meeting, saying she could not support Mr Brown as leader.Environment minister Jane Kennedy became the latest minister to resign her post on Monday ahead of the meeting, saying she could not support Mr Brown as leader.
Meanwhile, ex-minister Stephen Byers joined those saying the PM should quit.Meanwhile, ex-minister Stephen Byers joined those saying the PM should quit.
The meeting of the PLP had been billed as crucial for Mr Brown's efforts to remain prime minister.The meeting of the PLP had been billed as crucial for Mr Brown's efforts to remain prime minister.
During it, Charles Clarke, a former home secretary, told the prime minister he should quit, as did MPs Fiona McTaggart, Tom Harris and Siobhan McDonagh, the BBC understands. During it, Charles Clarke, a former home secretary, told the prime minister he should quit, as did MPs Fiona McTaggart, Tom Harris and Siobhan McDonagh.
But BBC political correspondent James Landale said MPs, crammed into the committee room, cheered and banged desks in support of the prime minister.But BBC political correspondent James Landale said MPs, crammed into the committee room, cheered and banged desks in support of the prime minister.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said there had been "no support" for the rebels who spoke and the meeting had been "overwhelmingly" supportive of the prime minister.Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said there had been "no support" for the rebels who spoke and the meeting had been "overwhelmingly" supportive of the prime minister.
According to his spokesman, Mr Brown told the room he had "strengths and weaknesses" and that there were "some things I do well and some things not so well".According to his spokesman, Mr Brown told the room he had "strengths and weaknesses" and that there were "some things I do well and some things not so well".
Another ex-home secretary, David Blunkett, also told the meeting the rebels should "put up or shut up", the BBC has been told.
Ever since James Purnell's dramatic resignation from the cabinet there has been what one of those working to unseat the prime minister describes as "a battle of the bodies". Nick RobinsonBBC Political Editor Read Nick Robinson's blogEver since James Purnell's dramatic resignation from the cabinet there has been what one of those working to unseat the prime minister describes as "a battle of the bodies". Nick RobinsonBBC Political Editor Read Nick Robinson's blog
'No coup' Another ex-home secretary, David Blunkett, also told the meeting the rebels should "put up or shut up", the BBC has been told.
Conservative leader David Cameron said Mr Brown and his critics were locked in "a slow dance of political death".Conservative leader David Cameron said Mr Brown and his critics were locked in "a slow dance of political death".
"He can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup," he told Tory activists in Wales - where the Conservatives pushed Labour into second place in the European elections."He can't seem to reshuffle his cabinet but they can't seem to organise a coup," he told Tory activists in Wales - where the Conservatives pushed Labour into second place in the European elections.
A ComRes survey for the Independent suggests Alan Johnson would cut Mr Cameron's advantage if the new home secretary were to become Labour leader.A ComRes survey for the Independent suggests Alan Johnson would cut Mr Cameron's advantage if the new home secretary were to become Labour leader.
It said the Tories would lead by 38% to 22% with Mr Brown at Downing Street, but with Mr Johnson at the helm Labour's support would rise to 26% and backing for David Cameron would fall to 36% - enough to deny the Conservatives an overall majority.It said the Tories would lead by 38% to 22% with Mr Brown at Downing Street, but with Mr Johnson at the helm Labour's support would rise to 26% and backing for David Cameron would fall to 36% - enough to deny the Conservatives an overall majority.
Mr Brown has been reshuffling his junior ministers, following last week's cabinet reshuffle and departure of six cabinet ministers and several other ministers.
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Part of that process has seen the departure of Ms Kennedy, Liverpool Wavertree MP, who has quit the government before - as health minister in 2006 over NHS reforms.
She told the BBC: "I was asked if I wanted to stay in government and if I did, would I give an assurance that I would be in support of Gordon Brown?
"I wasn't able to give them that assurance and therefore I have not been reappointed to the government."
Mr Brown's spokesman said the prime minister "did not ask for any pledge of loyalty from her or any other minister".
Meanwhile, Mr Byers told the meeting of the Progress thinktank that "now is the time for Gordon Brown to stand down" if Labour were to avoid a "humiliating defeat".
Labour MP Sally Keeble also announced she was withdrawing her support for Mr Brown in a letter to her constituents in Northampton North.
Later she told the BBC Mr Brown had not been able to "command authority" within government.
Labour MP Frank Field, the leader of last year's 10p tax rebellion, accused Mr Brown's allies of trying to "terrorise" Labour MPs into sticking with him by the threat of an immediate general election.