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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Clarke warns of poll 'hammering' | Clarke warns of poll 'hammering' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown should consider quitting to stop Labour getting "hammered" at the next election, says former home secretary Charles Clarke. | Gordon Brown should consider quitting to stop Labour getting "hammered" at the next election, says former home secretary Charles Clarke. |
| He told the Evening Standard that without change Labour could be forced into opposition "for 10 to 15 years". | He told the Evening Standard that without change Labour could be forced into opposition "for 10 to 15 years". |
| Mr Clarke suggested Mr Brown's "own dignity" should lead him to consider quitting, perhaps citing ill health. | Mr Clarke suggested Mr Brown's "own dignity" should lead him to consider quitting, perhaps citing ill health. |
| Asked about the comments, the prime minister said: "I'm healthy and very fit. I run a lot to keep fit." | Asked about the comments, the prime minister said: "I'm healthy and very fit. I run a lot to keep fit." |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Mr Brown, who was named World Statesman of the Year by US human rights group the Appeal of Conscience Foundation on Tuesday, added: "I keep going and I've got a job to do." | |
| Persistent critic | Persistent critic |
| The newspaper reported that Mr Clarke, who is due to give a speech later to the Progress pressure group, hoped rumours the prime minister might stand down, perhaps claiming poor health, would come true. | The newspaper reported that Mr Clarke, who is due to give a speech later to the Progress pressure group, hoped rumours the prime minister might stand down, perhaps claiming poor health, would come true. |
| "I don't think Gordon will lead Labour into the next election. I think his own dignity ought to look to that kind of solution," he said. | "I don't think Gordon will lead Labour into the next election. I think his own dignity ought to look to that kind of solution," he said. |
| The former cabinet minister, who is a long-time critic of Mr Brown, also criticised colleagues who he said had already given up on the next election. | The former cabinet minister, who is a long-time critic of Mr Brown, also criticised colleagues who he said had already given up on the next election. |
| He has made these points a number of times before Liam ByrneChief Secretary to the Treasury | He has made these points a number of times before Liam ByrneChief Secretary to the Treasury |
| "They say prepare to battle in 2015, make sure the policies and leader are in place'," he said. | "They say prepare to battle in 2015, make sure the policies and leader are in place'," he said. |
| "I understand that, but there will not be a 2015 if we get hammered in 2010. And on current show, we will be." | "I understand that, but there will not be a 2015 if we get hammered in 2010. And on current show, we will be." |
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne told the BBC it was "not a new criticism" from Mr Clarke. | Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne told the BBC it was "not a new criticism" from Mr Clarke. |
| "I don't think anyone will be in the dark about what Charles thinks of Gordon Brown. He has made these points a number of times before," he said. | "I don't think anyone will be in the dark about what Charles thinks of Gordon Brown. He has made these points a number of times before," he said. |
| "Actually, we don't have a better leader of our party, or of our government, or of our country right now." | "Actually, we don't have a better leader of our party, or of our government, or of our country right now." |
| Mr Byrne said voters were more worried about important issues like getting the economy moving. | Mr Byrne said voters were more worried about important issues like getting the economy moving. |