Labour can avoid meltdown: but Gordon, why stay?

By David Chaplin

Gordon Brown will fight for his political life this weekend, attempting to cajole, encourage and persuade Labour MPs to back him as Party Leader, while reshuffling his Government to try and rebuild stability. His position is precarious – with bad election results, the immediate need for a reshuffle following high-profile Cabinet resignations, and a disunited Party – I doubt party supporters can remember a time that felt so hopeless, a feeling that was reinforced to some MPs and activists on doorsteps across the country yesterday.

Throughout the day today, the Prime Minister’s supporters are launching a fight back to try and secure his position.

But why?

Gordon Brown has dedicated his life to the Labour Party. But power and political office should be sought for a purpose, with an agenda – a vision for our society.

What does Gordon Brown still want to achieve? What change does he want to bring? What are his priorities for the country and how does he articulate them?

The attacks on Gordon Brown have been personal and often venting of long-held grudges. This kind of politics is not good for the Party and activists and supporters should not be surprised that this public back-stabbing turns off many would-be Labour voters.

But what is clear is that Gordon Brown has so far been unable to answer his vocal or private critics in the PLP and the Party at large since becoming leader in June 2007. He has failed to articulate a positive and achievable vision for Britain which party members, let alone voters, have felt able to sign up to.

I don’t want a coup either, but I also don’t want paralysis.

If he is to stay on as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown needs to set out his reasons for holding onto power, and what he intends to do with it.