Brown in crisis as ex-ministers launch leadership coup

12 April 2012

Gordon Brown faced an attempted "coup d'etat" today as two former Cabinet heavyweights called for a secret ballot on his leadership.

Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt wrote to all Labour MPs proposing a vote to decide if he should lead the party into the general election.

They were branded "cowards and betrayers" by Brownite MP Geraldine Smith while the chairman of Labour MPs described it as a plot to oust the Prime Minister. But with Labour 10 points behind in the polls, Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt said divisions over Mr Brown's performance as leader were now hampering the chances of beating David Cameron's Conservatives.

"Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance," they said in the letter.

"We have come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot."

Jack Straw was expected to be the first of the "big guns" to come out in full support of Mr Brown this afternoon, sources told the Standard.

Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, was one of the first senior Blairites to back Mr Brown, saying: "I don't support the secret ballot." Housing minister John Healey said: "Most Labour MPs and most Labour Party members will think this is the last thing we need."

Former ministers Frank Field and Charles Clarke were among leading critics of Mr Brown who backed the call for a ballot.

Mr Hoon, a former defence secretary, and Ms Hewitt, who used to be health secretary, said the party would unite behind Mr Brown if he won, putting an end to in-fighting that has dogged him since 2007 when he called off an early election.

"Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance," they said in the letter.

"We have come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot."

Mr Hoon and Ms Hewitt added: "In what will inevitably be a difficult and demanding election campaign, we must have a determined and united parliamentary party. It is our job to lead the fight against our political opponents. We can only do that if we resolve these distractions."

The pair told the Standard they were not calling for Mr Brown's removal but only for a secret ballot on whether to hold a leadership contest. It could strengthen the Prime Minister's position, they pointed out.

Such a ballot, however, would effectively be a vote of confidence in Mr Brown. Labour MPs think Cabinet ministers of such rank as Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, or Business Secretary Lord Mandelson would be needed to oust him.

The chairman of Labour MPs, Tony Lloyd, strongly rejected the ballot call. "Geoff Hoon is wrong on this. Geoff has very little support. Let me assure you, there is not the support in the Parliamentary Labour Party for this attempted coup d'etat."

Europe Minister Chris Bryant dismissed it as "a hand grenade with the pin left in". The Prime Minister pointedly ignored it. Downing Street sources said he had not cancelled any meetings and was "getting on with the job as usual".

A senior Cabinet minister was expected to defend Mr Brown on the airwaves this afternoon but there was no overwhelming rush by senior Blairites to shore up his position.

There was speculation that some Cabinet members might seek changes in election strategy as the price of their support, including which ministers will be in overall charge of the campaign.

The last serious attempted coup was in June when James Purnell resigned.

Then, Lord Mandelson rallied senior ministers in a successful counter-coup that left backbench critics of Mr Brown angry and feeling they had not been given a say.

Mr Hoon, a former chief whip, said: "One of the frustrations of MPs is that we are united over policy and have a good programme and a great record that we are failing to get across. I think the mood of the party now would demand that any contest be conducted in a proper way."

Ms Hewitt said: "We have only been back at Westminster 24 hours and there are rumours of a minister quitting and of plots against the leadership. If we do hold a leadership contest, there is no reason to think that having several candidates from different wings of the party would mean civil war."

Former home secretary and Labour chairman John Reid was being touted by some MPs as a caretaker leader. Dr Reid is one of the few former Blairites who refused to serve under Mr Brown.

Bookies Paddy Power today slashed the odds on Home Secretary Alan Johnson becoming the next Labour leader, quoting him at 9/4. David Miliband was on 10/3, Ed Miliband, 4/1 and Harriet Harman at 15/2.

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