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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Rebel calls an error, says Harman | Rebel calls an error, says Harman |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has criticised MPs who have called for a leadership election, accusing them of an "error of judgement". | Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has criticised MPs who have called for a leadership election, accusing them of an "error of judgement". |
| She told BBC One's Question Time an internal contest would be "completely wrong" when people were so concerned about their jobs and finances. | She told BBC One's Question Time an internal contest would be "completely wrong" when people were so concerned about their jobs and finances. |
| Gordon Brown was focused on the current economic difficulties, Ms Harman added. | Gordon Brown was focused on the current economic difficulties, Ms Harman added. |
| Meanwhile, a poll for the Independent of 788 Labour Party supporters found more than half wanted a new leader. | |
| Different tone | Different tone |
| Ms Harman said: "I think if people are worried about their job or worried about their savings, the idea that we say our priority is to have an internal leadership election, I think people would think that was completely wrong. | Ms Harman said: "I think if people are worried about their job or worried about their savings, the idea that we say our priority is to have an internal leadership election, I think people would think that was completely wrong. |
| "So I know what they're saying and I think that they are making an error of judgement." | "So I know what they're saying and I think that they are making an error of judgement." |
| She added: "I don't think there is going to be a leadership election, I don't think there should be a leadership election. | She added: "I don't think there is going to be a leadership election, I don't think there should be a leadership election. |
| "I don't want any of my colleagues to have to start engaging in discussion about a hypothetical leadership election which is not going to happen, so I'm not going to start." | "I don't want any of my colleagues to have to start engaging in discussion about a hypothetical leadership election which is not going to happen, so I'm not going to start." |
| The BBC's Carole Walker at Westminster said Ms Harman's tone was very different from others in the cabinet who said they understood the concerns of MPs who wanted a change of leader. | The BBC's Carole Walker at Westminster said Ms Harman's tone was very different from others in the cabinet who said they understood the concerns of MPs who wanted a change of leader. |
| Personal rating | Personal rating |
| Mr Brown is under pressure after 12 Labour MPs called for nomination forms to be issued for a leadership challenge, and Scotland Office Minister David Cairns resigned on Tuesday. | Mr Brown is under pressure after 12 Labour MPs called for nomination forms to be issued for a leadership challenge, and Scotland Office Minister David Cairns resigned on Tuesday. |
| The poll of Labour supporters for the Independent found 54% of those surveyed would prefer someone else to lead them into the next general election. | The poll of Labour supporters for the Independent found 54% of those surveyed would prefer someone else to lead them into the next general election. |
| The prime minister's personal rating was also lower than almost every other member of his cabinet, the survey found. | The prime minister's personal rating was also lower than almost every other member of his cabinet, the survey found. |
| Mr Brown has sent a letter to all Labour MPs ahead of this weekend's party conference urging them to "restate the case for our party and values". | Mr Brown has sent a letter to all Labour MPs ahead of this weekend's party conference urging them to "restate the case for our party and values". |
| He said voters needed to see the choice at the next election was between "a Conservative party which still believes in helping the few and not the many and a Labour party which believes in fairness and opportunity for all and has the policies to deliver them". | He said voters needed to see the choice at the next election was between "a Conservative party which still believes in helping the few and not the many and a Labour party which believes in fairness and opportunity for all and has the policies to deliver them". |