Charles Clarke, the former home secretary, has launched a withering attack on Gordon Brown, telling the Prime Minister to quit or Labour will be condemned to at least a decade in opposition.
Mr Clarke said that Mr Brown should consider resigning, perhaps citing ill-health, to avoid the humiliation of leading Labour to a shattering defeat.
“I think his own dignity ought to look to that kind of solution,” said Mr Clarke.
Mr Clarke has been one of Mr Brown’s most trenchant critics, spoke out as Labour prepares for its annual conference in Brighton this weekend.
With polls putting Labour well behind David Cameron’s Conservatives, Mr Clarke said the party is likely to be “hammered” by voters at next year’s general election.
Mr Clarke said that a huge defeat can only be avoided if Labour makes fundamental change, including appointing a new leader.
[More]
It would appear that the party is turning on Gordon in a big way. I suppose that’s progress.
If you want to call it progress. I’m not surprised to see this kind of attack… but Clarke is right! If Brownie sticks around until he’s booted out of office, he’ll end up doing more-or-less what John Tory did to the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario… sucking the soul out of the party…
Not just John Tory. Try Joe Clark.