Brown ballot coup: what did Darling say to the PM?
Supportive statement now here from Alistair Darling.
“As far as I’m concerned, we should be concentrating on the business of government and getting through the recession, the PM and I met this afternoon and we discussed how we take forward economic policies to secure the recovery. I won’t be deflected from that.”
Not exactly a North Korean-style statement of support, but a source close to Alistair Darling says he thinks the idea of a secret ballot is daft.
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of that meeting. It happened at a rare moment of maximum leverage.
Did Alistair confront Gordon Brown with some home truths? Did he extract any sort of promise about economic management? We may have to wait for the memoirs.
I hear Jack Straw and Harriet Harman may currently be in No. 10 and they still haven’t done the supportive TV statements that some thought were coming some time ago.
Senior ministers don’t seem to be volunteering North Korean-style messages for support for Gordon Brown, with the exception perhaps of Alan Johnson, who has just described Gordon Brown as the best man to lead the Labour Party.
No. 10 says it is cool about that and wants it to be clear that the business of government is simply carrying on.
There are 7 comments on this post
Our Gordo will be calling in quite a few markers but one day he’ll run out of them. Very soon, in fact.
Well thats fair then Gary. I remember you comparing DC’s poster to the politburo the other day. Now, by comparing the Labour Government to North Korea (n.b. which isn’t too far from the truth, given the way they ignore public opinion and bypass Parliament), you’ve evened things up a bit….!
I guess we’ll just have to vote Lib Dem then, if the two main parties are routinely being compared to Communists…!
A Lib Dem vote will let Gordon stay on, either by stopping Cameron who needs far more votes per seat, or by letting him dupe Clegg into some coalition. Either way, Brown still around would be the final nail in this country’s economic coffin. Then you’d see Gilts and the pound slump properly.
Asked by the PM ”who do you support my Darling”? Came a prolonged silence. ”Hold out your tongue dear fellow” asked the PM. To which Alistair duly displayed a very Brown tongue indeed! ”Okay, you can get up my fearful friend” replied the PM.
Well as Darling has been producing Gordons demands what does it matter what they discussed .Darling will say exactly what Brown wants him too.It is often quoted that Brown shouts and screams and bullies his way forward ,well those whom he bullies ,by accepting him , have what they deserve.God rest their seats
I saw your interview tonight and read your blog.I think you seem intent on CREATING negativity where non exists…….you spoke of a “nugget” on TV like someone who was delighted to be in possesion of something you perceived as negative towards Labour