Last week was yet another momentous attempt by Gordon Brown to reassert his waning authority, in the wake of the very public resignation of several cabinet ministers who openly challenged his leadership. The PM was given a tough ride in his cabinet reshuffle press conference on Friday, not helped by the resignation of Caroline Flint as Europe minister half way through the Q&A session.
So far the PM’s strategy seems to be working, with new and old cabinet ministers coming out in force to support the PM, the backbench ‘email revolt’ now also looks to be abating. The PM’s position has been rescued from the brink of the abyss; his new cabinet includes the following new appointments:
Alan Johnson - Home secretary
Andy Burnham - Health
Yvette Cooper - Work and pensions
Bob Ainsworth - Defence
John Denham – Communities and Local Government
Liam Byrne - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Glenys Kinnock – Europe minister
Sir Alan Sugar - Enterprise tsar (non-Cabinet post)
Brown’s weeks of turmoil seemed to level off last night with the PLP largely accepting that despite the abysmal European election results that Brown could and should lead the party into the next general election. Despite this, Brown’s critics are still voicing their opposition to his leadership, with Stephen Byers becoming the latest Blairite to call for the PM to go.
Once again the PM has survived, but for how long? At this point it is hard to tell, with things moving so haphazardly in Westminster and No.10. Having said that it does appears that the PM has stifled a backbench rebellion, by conceding to a more open style of government at the PLP meeting last night.
The lack of a successor is another stumbling block for rebels in the party, with front line contender Alan Johnson pleading loyalty to embattled Brown, should this position change we could see a new leader of the Labour party and general election much sooner than expected.
No comments:
Post a Comment