Did Darling tell Brown to quit?

Did Darling tell Brown to quit?

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This is from the blog of the excellent Iain Martin of the Wall Street Journal:- “…the crucial meeting yesterday afternoon was between the chancellor and Gordon Brown. Alistair Darling and Brown were alone together; they were the only two in the room. But extraordinary rumors are emerging about what was said. I’ve heard from two Labour sources now that the conversation was very difficult and that Darling raised the possibility of Brown going, but the PM resisted. It would be…

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How does Dave compare with Maggie and Tony?

How does Dave compare with Maggie and Tony?

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Ipsos-MORI What does this say about the coming election? One of the great developments for political anoraks was the publication by Ipsos-MORI just before Christmas of historic polling data that has not been available online before. This covers MORI polls from 1977 onwards and means we have here on-line data from the last period in British politics when the Tories looked as thought they might take power. It’s a long time ago but because of the consistent way in which…

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What’s the future for the “Snow-Plot Six”?

What’s the future for the “Snow-Plot Six”?

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Is Robinson right about the extent of the mutiny? For me the big development overnight in the “Snow-Plot” was the naming of six cabinet ministers on BBC TV by the corporation’s political editor, Nick Robinson who were alleged to be linked in some way to the Hoon-Hewitt move. The group include some heavy hitters including the deputy leader, the justice, foreign, Scottish and defence secretaries as well as a man who has always been regarded as a close Brown supporter,…

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The overnight thread

The overnight thread

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I was booked to appear on Radio 5 at just after midnight. With all the fuss I don’t know whether I’m still on so I’m off to bed. The phone will go if they need me. Please use this to continue the discussion. POLLING UPDATE: CON ??%(40) LAB 31%(30) LD ??%(17) The poll was for the Sun with virtually all the fieldwork taking place before Wednesday’s momentous events. Labour will be delighted to move up a notch – even though…

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Does the plot’s failure make this more likely?

Does the plot’s failure make this more likely?

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Should they be opening the bubbly at Cameron Towers? After an exciting few hours it now appears that the plot was restricted to the two former cabinet ministers and if any follow-up had been planned it seems to have gone plop. The outcome is that Labour will be going into the election with a leader who has the second lowest approval ratings in the party’s history. Only Michael Foot rated lower. Quite why the bulk of Labour MPs are reluctant…

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So why are senior ministers silent?

So why are senior ministers silent?

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Is Robinson right – they are waiting and watching? What an afternoon to be a Labour cabinet minister and what choices you have to make. For what many of them decide in the next few hours could totally shape their future in politics. Do they stick with the old regime and hope that it survives or do they switch to support the plotters with all the risks that entails. I can’t believe that Hoon and Hewitt would have made their…

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Could Harriet behind the plot?

Could Harriet behind the plot?

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And what should you be betting on? ITV news is reporting that Patricia Hewitt is acting for Harriet Harman. Clearly this move was more than just a call for a secret ballot. There has to be current cabinet minister involved. Whatever it’s hard to see how Gordon can now go on until May. Mike Smithson

How serious is the Hewitt/Hoon move?

How serious is the Hewitt/Hoon move?

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News is just breaking that the former chief whip, Geoff Hoon along with the former cabinet minister, Patricia Hewitt, have sent a message to all Labour MPs calling for a secret ballot to resolve the leadership issue once and for all. The fact that Hoon is a former chief whip gives this an added credence. Is there real momentum behind this? Developing.