WORLD> Europe
|
WORLD> Europe
|
|
Brown on rack as UK Conservatives seizes huge poll lead
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-18 14:13 The Ipsos MORI poll found 69 percent of people were unhappy with the way Brown was doing his job and 70 percent thought Britain's economy would worsen in the next year. Significantly, 36 percent thought the Conservatives had the best understanding of Britain's economic problems, compared with 27 percent for Labour. Brown, finance minister for a decade before replacing Tony Blair as prime minister in June last year, used to promote his economic competence as his greatest strength. Brown's authority was challenged on Tuesday when a junior minister resigned, urging an open debate over his leadership. Three other Labour legislators have been fired or resigned from government posts after demanding a leadership contest. Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, regarded as a potential leadership contender, pointedly refused to condemn the rebels in an interview published on Thursday, although he said he did not agree with what they had done. Purnell told the left-wing New Statesman magazine it would be "ridiculous to pretend that you can't complain when you're worried. I mean, I'm worried that we're 20 points behind." The backing of at least 71 Labour members of parliament is needed to force a party leadership contest and only a dozen rebels have so far broken cover. The rebels hope the pressure will encourage cabinet members to persuade Brown to step aside. |
