British Labour must now choose between a disintegrating leader or the chaos of regicide, says Polly Toynbee.
British MP expenses scandal
The endgame is near for Brown
Even a strong leader would struggle to survive the mess in Britain — and Gordon Brown is not that.
Why we never joined the media’s Gordon Brown fan club
Far from being a brave warrior re-establishing the true Labour way after the cheesy aberration that was Tony Blair, Brown was absolutely central to the New Labour project, writes Rob Lyons.
Latest resignation pushes Brown to the edge
James Purnell, a leading member of Gordon Brown’s Government, sensationally resigned from the Cabinet last night. His exit could open the floodgates and lead other MPs and ministers to demand that Mr Brown goes.
The call that Gordon Brown was dreading
All day rumours had swirled around Westminster that a senior Labour figure could speak out against the prime minister – or resign – immediately after the polls closed in local and European elections. And that’s exactly what happened.
Gordon Brown v MPs: who will be ousted first?
While Gordon Brown plans a reshuffle of his Cabinet, could his party reshuffle him out of the Parliament altogether? Word is rebel MPs are putting a letter together…
The problem is, our pollies are second-rate
By the standards of previous generations, modern leading politicians are remarkably limited and callow and untested. It is hardly surprising that so many of them prove unequal to the task, argues Stephen Glover.
The early election we have to have
As storm clouds gather, it is shocking to realise we are still a whole year from the last possible date for an Election: June 3 2010. Imagine… another 365 days of this divided, bickering, rudderless Parliament.
MPs call for Gordon Brown to quit
A letter has been circulating amongst UK Labour MPs calling for the resignation of Gordon Brown after Hazel Blears became the fourth MP to resign from the Cabinet in 24 hours.
Are female MPs plotting against Brown in tea rooms?
Friends of the Prime Minister made the explosive suggestion that Hazel Blears was responsible for leaking news of Jacqui Smith’s impending resignation to destabilise the Prime Minister. One Brown ally even suggested that the women were “plotting together” in one of the tea rooms.
Did female MPs plot against Brown in the tea rooms?
Friends of the Prime Minister made the explosive suggestion that Hazel Blears was responsible for leaking news of Jacqui Smith’s impending resignation to destabilise the Prime Minister. One Brown ally suggesting that the women were “plotting together” in one of the tea rooms
When does a government forfeit the moral right to govern?
Labour emerged from the 2005 general election with a solid, if unspectacular, mandate to govern Britain. But times have changed, argued The Independent’s leader.
My “Presbyterian conscience” is offended: Gordon Brown chats to BBC
Gordon Brown took drastic action to appease the public over the MP expenses scandal — appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show where he outlined steps he’d be taking, including a code of conduct for MPs.
The verdict on Brown’s TV fightback
British PM Gordon Brown tried to ignore the whole MP expenses problem til it went away but Labour poll ratings were falling faster than a tart’s undies. So he finally took to the airwaves, says Quentin Letts.
Next scalp in MP saga? Chancellor Alistair Darling on way out?
Alistair Darling was under mounting pressure last night after it emerged that Gordon Brown was considering replacing him as Chancellor with Ed Balls and there were fresh disclosures about his expenses.
Gordon Brown challenges MPs’ golden parachutes
Gordon Brown is fighting to stop disgraced MPs claiming “golden goodbyes” of up to £200,000 each if they quit over their expenses.
British MPs blame everyone but themselves
Many MPs whose fingers have been suspiciously near the taxpayer’s wallet are desperate to deflect suggestions of culpability, appearing unbothered by the facts.
Photo essay: bizarre MP claims part II
A box of matches, an ice cube tray, a chocolate Santa. It’s all here.
Gordon Brown at helm of a sinking ship
Gordon Brown is facing an escalating crisis of confidence inside the parliamentary Labour party as record numbers of his MPs apply to sit in the House of Lords after the next general election.
Cut out and keep guide to MPs’ claims
Unlike moats and duck houses, this is a good use of taxpayers’ money — the BBC has compiled a list of the expenses claims made by Labour politicians, MP by MP.
MP’s exit is the end of a witch hunt
Senior Tories are left feeling sick to the stomach at the forced exit of Julie Kirkbride whom they believe has become the victim of a media witch-hunt whipped up by the Respect Party and the hard left, says The Mole.
Ousted MPs claim they were just following advice
There’s an – unspoken – sense among some MPs that backbenchers in the spotlight are being hung out to dry for claiming in accordance with an inherently faulty system.
Two more MPs resign over expenses scandal
Tory backbencher Julie Kirkbride and Conservative MP Christopher Fraser are stepping down. That brings to 11 the number of MPs who have decided to step down as a result of the expenses affair.
French pollies make the Brits look like amateurs
The UK MP expenses scandal may have shocked some, says Adrian Michaels, but the average British parliamentarian’s standard of living is laughable by French standards.
Tory leader calls for massive redistribution of power
Tory leader David Cameron has called for a “a massive, sweeping, radical redistribution of power” in Britain, as support for an overhaul of the UK Parliamentary grows in light of the MP expenses scandal.
