Gordon Brown will almost certainly take over from Tony Blair when he steps down this summer. Though increasingly this wont be because of his qualities, but rather the lack of a credible alternative. Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have no chance. John Reid has been damaged by Home Office blunders, so to was Charles Clarke. David Milliband, the next generation candidate, probably hasn’t got what it takes, nor has he indicated he wants to job. So this leaves the bleak prospect of Gordon Brown as leader, particularly bleak for Labour MPs with marginal seats in southern England as The Times reports.
A survey conducted by the newspaper of 100 Labour MPs with the smallest majorities found a marked lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of Brown taking over the leadership. And indicative of the lack of alternatives, there was no agreement on other candidates. David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, sums the mood up well…
“I don’t see any real serious challenge to Gordon Brown at all. I am not too happy with it but I suppose I will have to vote for him because I don’t really see an alternative.”
