British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is in a predicament. In a fresh blow to the PM, whose political acumen was questioned not only by backbenchers but also by his close aides after voters dumped Labour in the local and Euro elections, he has been compelled to fork out more than 5,000 pounds he claimed in expenses.
British media was informed that the money was used for cleaning up Brown’s London flat and his constituency home in Fife. The harrowing situation arose after Sir Thomas Legg – appointed by Brown to look into expense scandals – dashed off missive to dozens of MPs, including the PM. They were asked to explain their expenses. Most of the lawmakers have decided to challenge the injunction but feisty Brown has agreed to pay.
2009 has been a difficult year for Brown. Since his party’s defeat in the local elections, he has weathered one crisis after another. A few months back the dexterous politician, who before becoming the prime minister was Chancellor of the Exchequer, survived a political hailstorm by reshuffling his cabinet and nudging some of his aides to put in their papers.
In power since 1997, the party sunk in the local elections. Labour supporters lacerated Brown for party’s worst performance in 30 years. Shockingly, the party lost more than 300 councillors and was wiped off in some southern counties. The Conservative Party has 1,422 Council seats; Liberal Democrats 462 and Labour 169, while other groups accounted for 159 seats.
Talking about the disgraceful defeat, Brown said: “The elections were a painful defeat for Labour.” So what led to the catastrophic results? Some Labour councillors blame MPs expense scandal, senior ministers’ resignations and recession for the poor performance at the hustings. But Brown, who has nerves of steel, is preparing his party and himself for the worst situation. “I have chosen a determined and strong Cabinet that will fight hard for British people in these difficult times,” he told reporters outside 10 Downing Street, London.
However, the pessimists say that Brown’s days are over as party’s political fortune is dipping fast. Above all, the voters are disillusioned with the New Labour’s economic policy that in no way has helped the country rev up its economy hit hard by global meltdown. Unemployment graph has soared and several companies have gone bankrupt. Labour supporters want Brown to step down and hand over rein to some capable leader who can resuscitate the party in 2010 general elections. The opposition also is pounding on Brown and he is under intense pressure from friends and foes to resign.
Works and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, who resigned in frustration after his move to corner Brown was neutralised by PM’s men, writes in his resignation letter leaked to the local media: “I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more, not less likely. That would be disastrous for our country.”
The infighting in the Labour was welcomed with glee in the Conservative camp whose leader David Cameron renewed his call for snap polls. Exited by turn of events the Conservative as well as rebel Labour MPs launched a concerted effort to dismantle Brown. The rebel ahead and distributed a letter calling on Brown to step down.
But the sceptics are convinced that it is difficult for Labour to stop the Conservatives who are rapidly gathering strength among the voters. Whatever their view the fact of the matter is that the PM has successfully handled the explosive political situation and one year is a long time in politics. Can Brown help Labour come into power again?