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Top Allies Look to Unseat Gordon Brown

Knives come out for battered PM as Labour ministers plan revolt

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2008 9:12 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Several of the leading members of Gordon Brown's government will try to oust him as prime minister, reports the Times of London. Two contenders have emerged in a possible leadership challenge: David Miliband, the youthful foreign secretary allied with Tony Blair; and Harriet Harman, the deputy leader of the Labour Party. The paper says that a cabinet revolt will probably take place in September, after the summer break.

Although ministers have publicly insisted that they remain loyal to Brown, privately they are preparing the ground for an all-out battle. Watching television coverage of Labour's shock defeat in a special election last week, Harman allegedly said, "This is my moment." While the PM might reshuffle his cabinet after his vacation, a number of ministers may refuse to serve in a Brown government.

Harriet Harman, Labour's No. 2, is reported to be planning a coup against Gordon Brown.
Harriet Harman, Labour's No. 2, is reported to be planning a coup against Gordon Brown.   (AP Photo/PA, Martin Rickett)
Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman, the leader and deputy leader of the Labour Party. Harman is one of two probable candidates in a leadership election to unseat Brown.
Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman, the leader and deputy leader of the Labour Party. Harman is one of two probable candidates in a leadership election to unseat Brown.   (AP Photo/Simon Dawson)
David Miliband, the British foreign secretary, is one of two probable members of Gordon Brown's cabinet prepared to stand against him in a leadership election.
David Miliband, the British foreign secretary, is one of two probable members of Gordon Brown's cabinet prepared to stand against him in a leadership election.   (AP Photo/Koichi Kamoshida, Pool)
Ban Ki-moon, left, Secretary General of United Nations listens to British Foreign Minister David Miliband, right, who chaired a Security Council meeting at U.N. Headquarters Tuesday May 20, 2008.
Ban Ki-moon, left, Secretary General of United Nations listens to British Foreign Minister David Miliband, right, who chaired a Security Council meeting at U.N. Headquarters Tuesday May 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Karp)
Barack Obama, left, talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as they walk in Horseguards Parade behind 10 Downing Street, Saturday, July 26, 2008, London, England.
Barack Obama, left, talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown as they walk in Horseguards Parade behind 10 Downing Street, Saturday, July 26, 2008, London, England.   (AP Photo)
Gordon Brown addresses delegates at Labour's National Policy Forum, Friday July 25, 2008. Brown suffered fresh humiliation when his party lost a Scottish stronghold it has held for more than 50 years.
Gordon Brown addresses delegates at Labour's National Policy Forum, Friday July 25, 2008. Brown suffered fresh humiliation when his party lost a Scottish stronghold it has held for more than 50 years.   (AP Photo)
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Gordon is down but not out
Independent (UK)

Will Labour really turn on its leader?
Guardian (UK)

 
United Kingdom • Gordon Brown • Labour • UK politics • David Miliband • Labour Party • Harriet Harman

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