Oooops, looks like it might be curtains for Brown...

[JimmyMcNulty]

James Purnell (Work and Pensions sec) has just resigned.... and seems to be calling for a leadership election.

Wonder if this will be the last straw?

[megcleary]

I think this may be it (hopefully) on election day this must be a first?

[squeaver]

No I think Jack's still in the cabinet

Yours is the second Wire name I've seen today btw.

[policywonk]

Yup - seems significant

Purnell wants the job doesn't he? Hope he doesn't get it.

[nancy75]

just seen this, he has really stuck the knife in by the sound of it.

[notnowbernard]

It can't be long now, can it?

[warthog]

let's hope it's the end. all this dragging on is really annoying

[squeaver]

And as for your serious question, I just can't decide if he'll keep clinging on or will just call a General Election.

[Rindercella]

Lol @ Squeaver. That is bloody funny

[JimmyMcNulty]

Ho ho squeaver .

(Really wanted to be StringerBell but someone else got there first

Purnell doesn't have a hope of being leader - surely he can't be that deluded.

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

on the news - what are they on about sir alan sugar getting a role???

[policywonk]

Actually maybe not, he's said he doesn't want the job.

[policywonk]

Barry Sherman (Labour backbencher) is on Radio 4 now calling for a leadership election

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Alan Sugar? I've just seen something about him on the news. How is he going to help??

[SomeGuy]

This is terrible news for the Tories and good news for Labour. If Brown goes before the election it could give them a renaissance.

With him as PM they will lose with a landslide.

[JimmyMcNulty]

Nappyzone - I bet it's probably something on one of GB's many, many committees. Although the idea of Alan Sugar in the cabinet is hugely entertaining ("I will give it 150%").

[zanz1bar]

Wow the shite is hitting the fan.

god i love elections.

so how about an election in october?

[squeaver]

I wonder if he'll bring Margaret and Nick with him. How hilarious would Cabinet meetings be then?

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

perhaps hes going to sack him 'gordon you numpty your fired'

[dongles]

What on earth is GB hanging on for- it's getting ridiculous now.

[JimmyMcNulty]

Nick would just have to sit there making that special face and he'd be more effective than some of them.

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

perhaps he has some furniture on HP and wants to remain in employment till its paid for.....

[zanz1bar]

just watching obama on the news, god he is soooo cool. can we hijack him somehow?

[edam]

Apparently the fear is Brown might be so furious he'd call a general election. Would wipe Labour out for another ten years if he went now. (Although whoever takes over is going to lose the next election, it probably wouldn't be as much of a bloodbath.)

Purnell was in as much trouble as Blears, but Gordon tried to keep him onside by not bitching to the same extent. Doesn't seem to have worked terribly well... Purnell and Blears and that lot are Blairites but Sheerman is significant, I think. Very respected.

[edam]

(SomeGuy - someone I was talking to said that's why Cameron didn't take Gordon down at PMQs.)

[Salme101]

Agree that a change of leader could still make a difference. Purnell is a ministerial wrecker - went around creating havoc at Culture, then at the DWP. Good riddance to bad rubbish!