Email plot threatens Brown
By Alex Stevenson
Labour backbenchers are the focus of Westminster today as a small group of rebels seek to bring down the prime minister.
Those willing to put their name to a letter asking Gordon Brown to stand down can indicate their support by emailing an account recently set up.
Estimates vary wildly about the number of people who have already signed up. Most say the number is currently only in the teens, but those behind it are believed to be looking at 50 signatures in the coming days.
politics.co.uk understands some expect the number of signatures to reach 150. Such widespread opposition to Mr Brown would make his position untenable.
Many Labour MPs believe the party would “just do better” with a leader other than Mr Brown in No 10 come the general election, one disgruntled backbencher said.
He added that most are likely to consider the results of the European and local elections before deciding whether to join the ranks of those opposing the prime minister.
Business secretary Lord Mandelson launched his attempt to save the prime minister’s skin by openly appealing to backbenchers last night.
“Don’t please, through your actions, make it any worse for the Labour party than for the other parties who have all got to come to grips with this crisis affecting British politics,” he pressed.
Northern Ireland secretary Shaun Woodward said on Newsnight: “It’s very easy to ramp up hysteria about this. we have a government and prime minister that can solve the problems of this country.”
Those who decide to ignore their advice and back the email will support sending a letter telling the prime minister that “you can best serve the Labour party and the country by stepping down as party leader and prime minister”.
If Labour performs badly in today’s local and European elections more MPs will be prepared to offer their support to the plot.
One MP told politics.co.uk the party expects a “drubbing”. Plotters hope to bypass the party’s tortuous processes for changing leader by proposing a shortened leadership election taking just 23 days.
