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Exclusive: Senior MP squaring up to Brown
A SENIOR Labour backbencher from Yorkshire last night gave Gordon Brown two weeks to save his premiership as he admitted he is considering challenging for a party post which could put the Prime Minister's job in peril.
Barry Sheerman, the chairman of the children, schools and families select committee, said it was "worth thinking about" standing for chair of the parliamentary Labour party in what would effectively be a "get rid of Gordon" campaign.
The Huddersfield MP has been one of the Prime Minister's fiercest critics and has been fighting for his political colleagues to have a secret ballot to decide Mr Brown's fate.
With less than two weeks to go until the start of Labour's annual conference in Brighton, Mr Sheerman said time was running out for Mr Brown to prove he was the man who could still save the party from defeat at the next General Election.
Mr Sheerman insisted he had been unaware of suggestions that he would consider running against current chairman Tony Lloyd until reports at the weekend, but said: "It's something worth thinking about.
"I've been very discontented with the powerlessness of the parliamentary Labour party over the past year at a crucial time in the party's history.
"I haven't made my mind up yet and am consulting colleagues to see if this is an effective way of bringing about change. I've always said I'll give the Prime Minister until the end of conference to see if he has delivered on what he's promised."
Mr Sheerman was among the critics of Mr Brown who broke cover after the local and European elections in March. But his calls for Labour MPs to be given a secret confidence ballot over the Prime Minister's position failed to gain enough support.
After a dismal showing for Labour in the elections, Mr Brown bought himself more time at a crunch meeting of the parliamentary party by acknowledging his shortcomings and promising he would take more account of backbenchers.
But since then, Labour's showing in opinion polls has shown little sign of serious improvement, with one at the weekend showing the Tories are more trusted on getting value for money from public services and another earlier this summer suggesting Tory leader David Cameron is even more trusted on the NHS.
With conference season approaching and an election less than nine months away, Mr Brown's future will once again be thrust into the spotlight.
However, any move against Mr Brown is unlikely to come before the end of the three-week party conference season which starts with the Liberal Democrats in Bournemouth this weekend.
Just as last year, when the Prime Minister gave an emotional address to win over party activists, his conference speech will be seen as a crucial moment in determining his future.
Yesterday, Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman was facing accusations that she had begun positioning to replace Mr Brown after reports that her backers had been canvassing support.
On Sunday, senior Ministers attempted to head off speculation of a fresh move against Mr Brown, with Home Secretary Alan Johnson, the MP for Hull West and Hessle, insisting the party must show unity or face defeat at the hands of the Tories.
Mr Johnson, who has remained loyal to Mr Brown but is seen as a possible replacement should the Prime Minister be ousted, said: "I believe we have the absolute best leader of our party."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the MP for Doncaster North, insisted he was "very clear" that Labour had the right leader.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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