Gordon Brown faces plot by Labour MPs amid double blow in polls

by Dave Keating | July 28, 2008 at 12:40 am

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As predicted, the Labour defeat in the Glasgow East by-election has prompted calls within the Labour party for Gordon Brown to step down, and there seems to be a scramble to figure out what's going to happen next. Now moderate Labour MPs are outlining a plan to force the troubled UK prime minister to step down.

A group of moderate MPs are planning a letter addressed to the entire Cabinet setting out the reasons why they are despairing about the problems facing the Labour Party - including Mr Brown's leadership, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

In order to resolve the issue the MPs will say that a leadership election needs to be held to clear the air. The group - which will number at least 30 - will not put forward who they believe should stand against or succeed Mr Brown, saying that is a matter for the party.

Pressure on Mr Brown is likely to mount today after two opinion polls showed the scale of the problem facing his Government. More than twice as many people say Mr Cameron would make the best Prime Minister as choose Mr Brown, a YouGov poll for today's Daily Telegraph finds.

The Government's record is dissaproved of by 70 pc, while 74 pc are dissatisfied with Mr Brown's performance as Prime Minister. While Mr Cameron is still seen as "lightweight", a majority of voters say he is both competent and likeable.

Meanwhile a majority of people, including almost a quarter of Labour voters, agrees that the Conservatives are ready to govern after the next election, according to a ComRes poll in the Independent.