The banging desks of apparent support: more detail on what happened in the PLP meeting emerges

From @LabourList

More details of what happened and who said what at last night’s PLP gathering are now emerging. Hat tip Paul Waugh.

After Tony Lloyd, the PLP chair, opened the meeting, Gordon Brown spoke for 15 minutes, and said he was making an “argument for unity”, not a plea for unity:

“I have my strengths and I have my weaknesses. There are some things I do well and some things I do not so well…You solve the problem not by walking away but by facing it and doing something about it”.

He then said there was “no huge ideological difference” within the party and that there was “not a resignation letter I have seen that mentions differences over policy”.

When Lloyd then called on Brown loyalist Stephen Ladyman only to find he wasn’t there, mutterings grew that a pre-ordained order of speakers was being stage-managed.

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The rebels:

Tom Harris was called next, and said the party was united in the determination to win the next election, that Gordon Brown “cannot lead Labour to victory” and that for members of the PLP to remain silent would be “doing a disservice to our country”:

“The results from last night have confirmed in my mind that the electorate aren’t yet sold on Cameron, but they have made their minds up about you, Gordon, and it’s not going to change. We can win the next election, but only if we have a new leader. So answer me this, Gordon: Why do you think Cameron wants you to remain in post?”

Charles Clarke spoke next, saying “it’s time to go”.

Next up was Fiona McTaggart who stated that the only way to achieve party unity was by changing leader.

Meg Munn set out the reasons why Labour had failed to connect with the voters.

Siobhain McDonagh said “We’ve got the right policies. It’s the leadership, not policy, that needs to change”.

Graham Allen had his hand up but was not called on. Neither was Stephen Byers, who walked out of the meeting to tell the Progress Focus on the Fourth Term event that:

“The next election cannot be won if we continue as we have been. 16% is a disgrace and a humiliation. For Labour to lose to the Tories in Wales is a humiliation. For Labour to allow the BNP in is a disgrace. For the people who need a Labour government, now is the time for Gordon Brown to stand down as Labour leader and Prime Minister.”

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The disaffecteds:

Clive Efford, Lindsay Hoyle and Peter Kilfoyle all then apparently attacked Hazel Blears, saying that resigning from cabinet the day before the election reduced Labour’s chances.

Lynne Jones gave the PM the ultimatum that Gordon Brown had to finally live up to the pledge to listen more to the party that he’d made when he came to office in 2007.

Paul Flynn said the way Dr Ian Gibson had been treated over his expenses had left many colleagues unhappy.

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The loyalists:

Geraldine Smith said Brown was the best man on the economy that Labour has and that he should stay.

David Blunkett was applauded when he said “critics should put up or shut up and they have 24 hours to do so”.

Margaret Beckett said “it would be madness to get rid of this man.”

Finally, Neil Kinnock (a member of the PLP?) quoted Bevan’s call for “common endeavour” and unity.

Mr Brown wrapped up the meeting with a final promise to take on board the criticism. As we Tweeted last night, the PM left to the banging desks of apparent support.