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Brown 'safe' despite Norwich loss | Brown 'safe' despite Norwich loss |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Labour's defeat in the Norwich North by-election will not reopen questions about Gordon Brown's leadership of the party, Lord Mandelson has said. | |
Several Labour MPs have accused Mr Brown of being directly responsible for the loss of the seat to the Tories. | Several Labour MPs have accused Mr Brown of being directly responsible for the loss of the seat to the Tories. |
The business secretary said he was "sorry" about the outcome but the poll took place in "unique" circumstances. | The business secretary said he was "sorry" about the outcome but the poll took place in "unique" circumstances. |
While he acknowledged some MPs would continue to attack Mr Brown, he said they were very much in a minority. | While he acknowledged some MPs would continue to attack Mr Brown, he said they were very much in a minority. |
'Unique poll' | 'Unique poll' |
Ex-home secretary Charles Clarke blamed the Norwich result, which saw the Tories take the seat with a 16.5% swing, on Mr Brown's "incompetent" treatment of outgoing MP Dr Ian Gibson. | Ex-home secretary Charles Clarke blamed the Norwich result, which saw the Tories take the seat with a 16.5% swing, on Mr Brown's "incompetent" treatment of outgoing MP Dr Ian Gibson. |
Among others to pin the blame on the prime minister was Barry Sheerman, who said the result was a "self-inflicted wound" and warned Mr Brown had until the end of the summer to reconnect with voters. | Among others to pin the blame on the prime minister was Barry Sheerman, who said the result was a "self-inflicted wound" and warned Mr Brown had until the end of the summer to reconnect with voters. |
I don't have a question about Gordon Brown's leadership nor do the overwhelming bulk of members of the Labour party and those represented in Parliament Lord Mandelson | I don't have a question about Gordon Brown's leadership nor do the overwhelming bulk of members of the Labour party and those represented in Parliament Lord Mandelson |
But commenting on the result, Lord Mandelson - appointed first secretary of state in June's reshuffle - said it would not affect Mr Brown's position. | But commenting on the result, Lord Mandelson - appointed first secretary of state in June's reshuffle - said it would not affect Mr Brown's position. |
"It was one of the most peculiar by-elections with some of the most unique elements I have ever seen," he told the BBC's World At One programme. | "It was one of the most peculiar by-elections with some of the most unique elements I have ever seen," he told the BBC's World At One programme. |
Labour voters had felt "torn" over what to do due to their anger over the general conduct of MPs and their loyalty to Dr Gibson as a local MP, he said. | Labour voters had felt "torn" over what to do due to their anger over the general conduct of MPs and their loyalty to Dr Gibson as a local MP, he said. |
"I am sorry that so many Labour voters chose to do this by staying at home, with the result you have got." | "I am sorry that so many Labour voters chose to do this by staying at home, with the result you have got." |
Despite the Tories' conclusive victory, Lord Mandelson said none of the main parties had much to "cheer" about as smaller parties were the main beneficiaries of popular anger over expenses. | Despite the Tories' conclusive victory, Lord Mandelson said none of the main parties had much to "cheer" about as smaller parties were the main beneficiaries of popular anger over expenses. |
'Handful of critics' | 'Handful of critics' |
The outcome had changed nothing in relation to Mr Brown's leadership, he continued. | The outcome had changed nothing in relation to Mr Brown's leadership, he continued. |
Although he did not expect the "handful" of MPs who were criticising the prime minister to back off, Lord Mandelson said they did not represent mainstream views. | Although he did not expect the "handful" of MPs who were criticising the prime minister to back off, Lord Mandelson said they did not represent mainstream views. |
"I don't have a question about Gordon Brown's leadership nor do the overwhelming bulk of members of the Labour Party and those who represent it in Parliament," he added. | "I don't have a question about Gordon Brown's leadership nor do the overwhelming bulk of members of the Labour Party and those who represent it in Parliament," he added. |
Mr Brown has acknowledged the result was affected by the anger of many local Labour supporters at the party executive's treatment of their former MP. | Mr Brown has acknowledged the result was affected by the anger of many local Labour supporters at the party executive's treatment of their former MP. |
Dr Gibson had resigned after being told he could not stand for election again by an internal Labour panel following questions over his expenses. | Dr Gibson had resigned after being told he could not stand for election again by an internal Labour panel following questions over his expenses. |
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