Worried MPs plot to force Blair exit date

[cal04]

Backbenchers in marginals swelling numbers wanting clear departure plan
Fears of Labour election losses in marginal seats, especially in the south-east of England, are prompting renewed discussion among the party's MPs about whether they should collectively and publicly demand that Tony Blair use his party conference speech to set out a clear timetable for when he will stand down.

Blairites argue that a letter calling for a timetable from the prime minister would be misjudged, since it would be seen as divisive within the party and would only have a political impact if a large number of MPs signed up to it. But supporters of such a move argue that they could assemble big numbers going well beyond the ranks of serial rebel MPs. They could include previously loyal MPs such as Martin Linton, Mike Gapes, Kitty Ussher and Jim Dowd, who have recently criticised the prime minister, especially over the impact of his foreign policy.

An alternative option of tabling an emergency motion at the party conference in September is likely to be rejected since it would require the support of the unions to be carried. The motion would have called for Labour's national executive to take over preparations of a timetable for a leadership election.

But it is widely accepted by opponents of Mr Blair that Gordon Brown would be seriously damaged politically if he was seen to take over the leadership as a result of a drive led by the union bloc vote.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,1860879,00.html

[orpupilofnature57]

1. The English make their Civil Servants , Accountable!! Bravo!!!

[PATRICK]

2. Asking the unlikely

Cuomo should have stepped down. By the same reasoning he bulled ahead. The same is true of anyone on the top with strong will and self justification otherwise they wouldn''t be up there or a problem like this in the first place. But it is a sign, no self-fulfilling prophecy blame needed, that it IS time to go. But it is the time to go precisely because of his stubborn judgment. March to disaster via Catch-22. If a scmho like Pataki could beat Cuomo it is no wonder the party was hapless to unseat the lousy performing poser after.

In this case, by some rapid vision of common sense, Blair would do something shrewd, not stubborn or the MPs would simply sack him, quickly, decisively. Or all the words and handwringing and blame pointing won't change the way the water is spinning in the toilet.

[CJCRANE]

3. Blair should've stepped down

a long time ago.

He could've stepped down this time last year and Gordon Brown taking over would've given the Labour Party a boost. As it is Blair might just drag Brown and the Labour Party down with him.