As predicted, it's not looking good for Gordon Brown's ambitions to remain as British Prime Minister. After yesterday's appalling results for Labour in both the local elections and the European Parliament elections, more Ministers are leaving Brown's cabinet--one last night, three BIG names today.
More below the fold...
Gordon Brown's only real hope of hanging on as PM was a succcessful reshuffle of his Cabinet in short order--basically, he could use this to test the loyalty of his Ministers by offering them plum jobs in the Cabinet. Those who refuse to move (Alaister Darling, who has insisted on staying in the Chancellor position, apparently against Brown's wishes) or refuse the offer would be tipping their hand as participants in the growing rebellion against the PM. He could then fill their places with more loyal MPs.
If Brown was hoping that this last-ditch effort would succeed, it appears that he has been mistaken. Not only has Darling refused to either budge or resign, but it's just been announced that THREE more Ministers have stepped down today: Margaret Beckett (Housing), Geoff Hoon (Transport) and John Hutton (Defense--you may remember the Hutton Report...). Late last night James Purnell (Work and Pensions) also resigned, which was considered proof that this rebellion is major, as he is a potential challenger.
The number of Brown loyalists is shrinking. Ed Balls was supposed to become Chancellor, but since Darling won't go, it looks like he'll stay as Childrens secretary. No doubt the ascendance of his wife, Yvette Cooper, to a new Cabinet spot as Work and Pensions Secretary is a Brown effort to keep Balls sweet. It's worth noting that Balls and Cooper are up to their necks in the MPs' expenses scandal. David Miliband also has not left his position, and as he was widely rumoured to be on the verge of resignation yesterday (a claim he denied.... officially) Brown may be none too pleased.
Most interestingly, his most likely challenger for PM, Alan Johnson, has been given a plum post as Home Secretary. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, as they say. Is Johnson offering Brown a Granita-style deal in exchange for an orderly departure in 2010? Who knows, but if I were Brown I would be suspicious of any packages this former postman delivers.
Peter Mandelson (Business/corporate graft), of course, continues to be his usual obsequious self, spinning on Brown's behalf but probably looking for a handy exit all the while. Why Brown can't recognise the little snake for what he is, is a mystery to most Whitehall observers. He'll throw Brown under the bus if it suits him, as he's the type who would do anything at all to further his own career. One can only hope that he'll have been so thoroughly tarnished by association that he'll disappear for good when the dust settles.
Brown's camp has made things worse for the PM by selectively releasing damaging information about some who have departed, thereby burning bridges and making it likely that they will move on in anger as well as disgrace. It is widely rmoured that the petition for Brown to step down is nearing the magic number of 70+ that can force him to go without the opportunity to mount a campaign to stay. Just 50 signatures is enough to force a vote, so if each pissed off former Cabinet minister talks two friends into signing, it won't be long now.
It's going to be a weekend of begging and backstabbing at Number 10--oh, to be a fly on the wall. I would personally be surprised if Brown lasts until Monday.
Oh yeah--Brown has just called a press conference, to start in a few minutes. And another MP, Ian Gibson, caught up in the expenses scandal has resigned from his seat, opening up another seat for Labour to lose in a snap by-election!
The Guardian is live-bloggingall the action...