Brown: 'I Won't Walk Away'

Embattled prime minister refuses to quit as Labour rebellion gathers strength

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 6, 2009 5:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – A defiant Gordon Brown said last night he will not "waver or walk away" from leadership despite a growing mutiny within the Labour Party, the Guardian reports. The British prime minister rejected calls for his resignation and managed to restore a semblance of authority after a day of surprise resignations within his party. The Labour rebels plan a fresh assault on his leadership this weekend.

The results of Britain's vote in the European Parliament elections are due on Sunday night, and Labour rebels, anticipating a disastrous result for the party, plan to use those results to attack Brown. The lawmakers hope to get 70 or 80 Labour members of Parliament to sign a petition calling for Brown to go, and they say his fate could be sealed by the party's weekly meeting on Monday.

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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks to the media during a press conference at 10 Downing Street, London yesterday. (AP Photo/ Carl Court, pool)

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown leaves a press conference at 10 Downing Street, London yesterday. (AP Photo/ Carl Court, pool)

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Gordon Brown stands firm during the fight of his political life. (CNN Video)

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I will get on with the job. I have faith in doing my duty. I believe in never walking away in difficult times.
- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown

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Brown: 'I Won't Walk Away'