Posted on 06/03/2009 12:52:26 AM PDT by bruinbirdman
Gordon Brown’s government was in disarray on Tuesday night as Jacqui Smith, home secretary, led a wave of resignations ahead of what is expected to be a dismal performance by Labour in this week’s local and European elections.
The prime minister was urged by colleagues to bring forward a cabinet reshuffle to Friday in an attempt to restore his authority, amid signs that party morale – sapped by the expenses scandal – was reaching a new low.
Ms Smith let it be known she would leave the government at the reshuffle, while Beverley Hughes, children’s minister, and Patricia Hewitt, former health secretary, said they would stand down as MPs at the next election. All cited family reasons.
Tom Watson, a close ally of Mr Brown, also let it be known he would stand down as a cabinet office minister to spend time with his family, adding to the sense of MPs jumping from an apparently sinking ship. Labour MP Ian Gibson was barred from standing for the party at the next general election after criticism of his expenses.
Mr Brown’s immediate problem is how to reassert control just 24 hours before polls open on Thursday for county council and European elections. Labour is braced for a drubbing.
Ms Smith’s imminent departure – she was tipped to be fired in any case – comes on top of the uncertainty surrounding Alistair Darling, whose future as chancellor is in doubt after Mr Brown refused to confirm he was safe at the Treasury.
Although Mr Brown’s team insisted the resignations were not co-ordinated, one ally admitted: “It does all look a bit chaotic.” Ms Smith’s pre-emptive resignation – she says she told Mr Brown she wanted to stand down two months ago – will blunt the impact of what the prime minister hoped would be a decisive reshuffle.
It leaves the impression that he is being forced to make changes because of resignations rather than carrying out what is expected to be a radical cabinet overhaul on his own terms.
Some of Mr Brown’s colleagues were urging him to carry out his cabinet surgery on Friday to end the sense of drift. Others said he was more likely to wait until after the European election results were announced on Sunday night.
Apart from Ms Smith and Mr Darling, questions hang over the future of Geoff Hoon, transport secretary, and Hazel Blears, communities secretary, who have also been damaged by Westminster’s expenses scandal.
Mr Darling on Tuesday insisted he was getting on with his job as speculation mounted that he would be replaced by Ed Balls, schools secretary, who was Mr Brown’s right-hand man during much of his time as chancellor.
Good riddance!
The beginning of the purge of worthless Publc Servants. Next in line, Cow’lee’forniah...
The frumps are leaving the rag factory. Maybe they can get jobs as camp guards in the Sudan.
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