 | 'The SNP's stunning victory in the previously rock-solid Labour seat sent shockwaves through the party and led to fresh calls for him to quit. One MP told the Daily Record it was "inevitable" that Brown would be gone by the time of the next general election, expected in 2010.' Kevin Schofield and Magnus Gardham in the Daily Record, 26 th July 2008. |  |
GORDON Brown was fighting for his political life last night after Labour's humiliating defeat in the Glasgow East by-election.
The SNP's stunning victory in the previously rock-solid Labour seat sent shockwaves through the party and led to fresh calls for him to quit.
One MP told the Daily Record it was "inevitable" that Brown would be gone by the time of the next general election, expected in 2010.
Union chiefs, who met senior Labour figures including Brown yesterday to plot the party's future direction in the wake of the Glasgow East mess, also suggested it may be time for him to go.
But allies of Brown insisted a leadership challenge would be "madness" and predicted a fightback in the autumn.
And Brown moved to address people's concerns about soaring food, fuel and energy bills by promising help to hard-hit families.
The SNP's by-election victory saw them overturn Labour's 13,507 majority with a swing of more than 22 per cent to win by 365 votes.
John Mason scooped 11,277 votes to defeat Labour's Margaret Cur ran, who managed 10,912, in what was Labour's third-safest seat in Scotland.
The defeat - the biggest by-election upset in Labour's Scottish heartlands since the loss of Glasgow Govan in 1988 - piled further pressure on Brown, who has endured a nightmare year since taking over from Tony Blair.
The loss came hard on the heels of abysmal Labour performances in elections south of the Border.
After losing the Crewe and Nantwich by-election to the Tories, Labour were beaten in the London mayoral race and came a humiliating fifth in the Henley by-election behind the far-right BNP.
Brown once again insisted he was "getting on with the job" and was the right man to lead Labour and solve Britain's economic woes.
He said: "My full focus is on taking people through these difficult times."
Brown also told Labour's national policy forum in Warwick that new measures would be unveiled in the coming weeks to help people cope with the rising cost of food and fuel.
He said: "We understand and we hear people's concerns.
We will do whatever is necessary over the next few months to help hard-working families through these difficult times. We know that, while the problem is global, it affects people in every local community.
"And that's why, over the next few months, we will see in housing and in gas and electricity bills and in energy, us doing more to help the hard-working families of this country."
But one Labour MP said it was already too late for Brown.
The MP said: "The Glasgow East result doesn't change anything because I believe it was already inevitable that he wouldn't lead us into the next general election.
"He'll be given until the English local elections next May at the very latest but it's more likely he'll be challenged after the party conference in September."
The MP said party members were looking for a Cabinet member to openly challenge the Prime Minister.
"The party will not forgive any Cabinet minister who chooses to put his own career prospects ahead of the good of the party," the MP said.
Union bosses, who now carry more clout within the party than they have in years, also openly expressed their doubts about Brown's leadership. GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said the result in Glasgow East was the final straw. He said: "There's no point dressing it up. It was an unmitigated disaster.
"The MPs have got to make a strong decision as to whether they want to go into an election with Gordon Brown or have a contest."
The Labour conference in September, which takes place in Manchester, could be the focus for anti-Brown plotting.
But Downing Street will look to use the gathering as the chance to launch a fightback.
The pre-Budget report - the Chancellor's annual "mini-budget" - could be used to bring in new measures to help hard-pressed families. They would be trailed before the party conference in a bid to put Brown back on the front foot. Measures to offset the impact of axing the 10p tax rate - which left millions of voters worse off - will kick in during the autumn.
Loyal pals of Brown urged unity, saying talk of a challenge would damage the party.
One well-placed source said: "Changing leader would be madness. He became leader just over a year ago with the full endorsement of the party.
"How would it look if they demand he leaves now? It would split the Cabinet and all the polls show a change of leader would not make any difference. The public loathes and detests a divided party. The last thing the unions want is a leadership race.
"If there is a leadership contest, a Blairite such as DavidMiliband or James Purnell would take over and I can't see them wanting that."
Other MPs rallied round the embattled PM.
Chancellor Alistair Darling said: "I believe that Gordon Brown is the best Prime Minister. He is the best leader of our party."
Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe also said Brown was "the best person" and called for a Cabinet reshuffle to boost public confidence.
Scots Secretary Des Browne insisted that now was not the time to dump Brown, saying he was "uniquely skilled" to handle to current economic crisis. He said: "I think our party realises the strengths of Gordon Brown."
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