"Long knives" out for Gordon!

Labour's big guns in open revolt against Brown: Geoff Hoon and Patrica Hewitt call for leadership ballot before election

By Daniel Martin and Liz Hazelton

Last updated at 3:44 PM on 06th January 2010

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Crisis: Gordon Brown leaves No.10 for Prime Minister's Questions today

The future of Gordon Brown's premiership was hanging in the balance today after two senior Cabinet members called for a secret ballot on the Labour leadership.

Just four months before the expected general election, Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt have written to all Labour MPs to ask for the issue to be sorted out 'once and for all'.

The two ex-ministers - both arch-Blairites - issued their call just moments before Gordon Brown faced his first Prime Minister's Questions of the New Year.

Their timing was particularly devastating as Mr Brown was told of the attempted putsch just before he entered the Commons.

In the letter, Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt threw down the gauntlet for a ballot which could be done 'quickly and with minimum disruption' and would allow the party to 'go forward'.

They said that unless the issue was resolved, it could undermine Labour's general election campaign.

'Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance,' they said.

'We have therefore come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot.

'There is a risk otherwise that the persistent background briefing and grumbling could continue up to and possibly through the election campaign, affecting our ability to concentrate all of our energies on getting our real message across.'

The pair told the London Evening Standard they were not calling for Mr Brown's removal but for a secret ballot on whether to hold a leadership contest, which they argued could actually strengthen the Prime Minister's position.

Ms Hewitt said that the vote of Labour MPs could be held next Monday, with the results declared at the scheduled meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party that evening.

She refused to say whether she would back the Prime Minister's removal in any ballot, saying: 'It would be pretty odd to call for a secret ballot and then say how you propose to vote.'

HOW WOULD IT WORK?

1. Labour MPs would vote in secret ballot mooted for Monday

2. Result would be revealed at meeting of Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday evening

3. If MPs said 'no' to leadership challenge, then no further action

4. If MPs voted 'yes' then potential candidates would put themselves forward

5. There would then be a ballot of the entire Labour party to elect new leader

So far Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt's call has been backed by former education secretary Charles Clarke, and former welfare minister Frank Field - both long-term opponents of the prime minister.

Echoing Mr Cameron's pre-election slogan, a source close to the two said: 'We can't go on like this'.

The move comes after months of criticism over the quality of the prime minister's leadership and the fact that he seems unable to get the Labour message across.

Any change in the leadership would ultimately require a ballot of all party members - meaning the timing would be extremely tight before the next election.

And if Mr Brown goes, it would be the second change in prime minister since the last election.

Ms Hewitt was Tony Blair's last health secretary, and left the cabinet when Mr Brown took over.

Mr Hoon was defence secretary under Mr Blair before moving to chief whip under Mr Brown.

A key ally of Mr Brown, John McFall - chair of the Treasury select committee - told the BBC's World At One programme that the party seemed to have a 'death wish'.

Leadership contest: Cabinet heavyweights Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt

Tory party chairman Eric Pickles said: 'We have a situation now where every day a Labour MP is turning on the Prime Minister.

'It’s irresponsible to have such a dysfunctional, faction ridden Labour party running the country. Ministers are more concerned about saving their own political skin than actually getting Britain out of the monumental mess we are in.

'We cannot go on like this. The only responsible thing the Government can do is call a general election.'

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In a statement, a Labour Party spokesman said the plan was 'unconstitutional, not wanted and not needed'.

'There is no provision for a secret ballot of MPs within the Labour Party constitution or rules, nor is there any provision whatsoever for a leadership election to be open only to MPs,' he said.

'The Labour Party, its members and affiliates are committed to making sure that we get through this recession fairly, that we secure the recovery and we as a party go on to present the choice at the next election between our plans for an age of aspiration or the Tories' plans for an age of austerity, a choice between securing growth or choking off the recovery.'

Despite the party's insistence that there was no provision in the rules for a secret ballot on the leadership, senior MPs acknowledged that it could still happen if there was sufficient support.

The plan would get round the need for a challenger to put his or her name forward to force a leadership contest - a requirement which has so far put off any rivals from within the Cabinet.

Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt's call was savaged by Mr Brown's allies, including Europe Minister Chris Bryant.

'I'm sure (they) think they have done the right thing,' he told The World At One. 'They probably think that they have thrown a nuclear bomb into the middle of things.

'I think it will prove to be a hand-grenade with the pin still in, which won't go off. I don't think most members of the Labour Party want this to happen, I don't think they think it's necessary. I think they want us to be fighting the Tories.'

'Geoff and Patricia have done the wrong thing. I disagree with them profoundly. It is an extraordinary move and I suspect by the end of the day we will be thinking it was a damp squib.'

Fresh crisis: Mr Brown was told about the call for a leadership ballot moments before clashing with David Cameron at Prime Minister's Questions today

The call for a leadership contest is likely to deeply wound the beleaguered Mr Brown, who is widely believed to favour a May election.

The Labour party is already riven by furious rows over both his leadership, the pre-Budget report and campaign policy.

Only yesterday, Lord Mandelson broke ranks to slap down ministers who want Labour to engage in a 'class war' with the Tories.

In a veiled swipe at the Prime Minister, the Business Secretary suggested the party could not win the election by only appealing to its traditional heartlands.

A'class war' campaign is heavily favoured by Ed Balls, viewed by many as Lord Mandelson's rival for the ear of Mr Brown.

Westminster has also been rife with rumours of an imminent challenge to the prime minister's leadership as the parliament enters its dying days.

However, Cabinet sources dismissed as 'fantasy' suggestions the Lord Mandelson might be ready to tell Mr Brown to quit for the good of the party.

Only a big beast such as Chancellor Alistair Darling, Lord Mandelson or Justice Secretary Jack Straw would have sufficient clout to force Mr Brown out.

But there is growing speculation that the Business Secretary is to endorse David Miliband as the party's next leader in the event of defeat. That would be a heavy blow to Mr Balls' hopes of inheriting the Labour crown.

There is already speculation that Mr Hoon and Mrs Hewitt have issued the letter in an orchestrated attempt to force the party's heavyweights to act.

Labour is currently trailing 10 points behind in the polls with many laying the blame on Mr Brown's performance.

In the event of a successful putsch, Alan Johnson is widely seen as the favourite 'caretaker' candidate. Harriet Harman would also have a strong claim as deputy leader.

Last night, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell was forced to issue a statement denying suggestions that she was about to quit.

The last serious attempted coup was in June when James Purnell resigned.

Then, Lord Mandelson rallied senior ministers in a successful counter-coup that left backbench critics of Mr Brown angry and feeling they had not been given a say.

THE LETTER IN FULL

This is the text of the letter sent by Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt to all Labour MPs concerning Gordon Brown's leadership of the party:

'Dear Colleague,

As we move towards a General Election it remains the case that the Parliamentary Labour Party is deeply divided over the question of the leadership.

Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance.

We have therefore come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot.

This could be done quickly and with minimum disruption to the work of MPs and the Government.

Whatever the outcome the whole of the party could then go forward, knowing that this matter had been sorted out once and for all.

Strong supporters of the Prime Minister should have no difficulty in backing this approach.

There is a risk otherwise that the persistent background briefing and grumbling could continue up to and possibly through the election campaign, affecting our ability to concentrate all of our energies on getting our real message across.

Equally those who want change, should they lose such a vote, would be expected by the majority of the PLP to devote all of their efforts to winning the election.

The implications of such a vote would be clear - everyone would be bound to support the result.

This is a clear opportunity to finally lay this matter to rest. The continued speculation and uncertainty is allowing our opponents to portray us as dispirited and disunited.

It is damaging our ability to set out our strong case to the electorate. It is giving our political opponents an easy target.

In what will inevitably be a difficult and demanding election campaign, we must have a determined and united parliamentary party. It is our job to lead the fight against our political opponents. We can only do that if we resolve these distractions.

We hope that you will support this proposal.

Yours fraternally,

Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1241024/Gordon-Brown-crisis-Geoff-Hoon-Patrica-Hewitt-ballot-Labour-leadership.html#ixzz0bqcmKbQI