Minister quits Brown’s government

Confidence in Gordon Brown’s leadership of Britian’s ruling Labour party took another body blow after minister David Cairns resigned from the government. Rebel MPs have been calling for a leadership contest – but Cairns is the first minister to resign. And, as Brown and cabinet colleagues discussed the global economic crisis, Labour’s governing body, the National Executive Committee, moved to stop rebels challenging the Prime Minister. It’s rejected attempts to send out nomination forms for a leadership contest before next weeks party conference. 

Former Labour Director of Communications Lance Price said: “The pressure were seeing today through the NEC is a bit of sideshow. ‘‘Actually it is the authority that he holds within the cabinet that will decide whether or not he can continue as Prime Minister and if a good number of them tell him that his time is up , then the time is up, he said’‘
 
Under party rules, rebel MPs would need the support of 70 colleagues to spark a leadership challenge. So far, only Twelve have called for a contest.

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