The text of the round robin circulated among Labour MPs has now been released. It reads as follows:
Dear Gordon,
Over the last 12 years in government, and before, you have made an enormous contribution to this country and to the Labour Party, and this is widely acknowledged.
However, we are writing now because we believe that, in the current political situation, you can best serve the Labour Party and the country by stepping down as party leader and Prime Minister and so allowing the party to find a new leader to take us into the next General Election.
The authors of the draft letter apparently intend to reveal their identities when 50 Members have signed; they expect that as many as 70 or 80 signatures will be obtained.
One might expect that, if he has not already done so, the usually loyal backbencher, Barry Sheerman, may be tempted to sign up. Seemingly more in sorrow than in anger, Mr Sheerman was today quoted as saying:
“If the Prime Minister doesn’t realise that, across the party, there is a disillusionment with the way the parliamentary party has been consulted, treated and valued, he is heading for trouble.”
The pressure upon Gordon Brown is now extreme. He may survive, but I will be surprised if he does. This weekend will prove crucial.
