Refuse collectors, home helps and social workers are threatening 'sustained strikes' this summer as unions prepare for a wave of industrial action over below-inflation pay deals. Unions sense that the 10p tax U-turn has left Gordon Brown vulnerable. One problem thus leads to another.
The news from Crewe and Nantwich is not good for Labour. An ICM survey for the News of the World found that 45% of Crewe and Nantwich constituents plan to vote Conservative, compared with 37% backing Labour. Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Sunday Times put the Tories on 45% to Labour's 25%.
Brown continues to face criticism from left-wing Labour MPs who were hoping for a lurch to the left while Blairites continue to mourn their lost leader. However, there is not really a credible alternative who would rescue Labour from their travails. Charles Clarke anyone?
3 comments:
I agree that there isn't really a "credible alterative". A new Leader will not send the housing market into reverse or magic away the credit crunch. Sadly, Labour are probably stuck with Gordon...
The favourite at the moment appears to be Miliband. However, Alan Johnson usually comes accross well on the broadcast media and I am surprised less attention is paid to him. There is an article in this week's Spectator suggesting James Purnell as Brown's successor and even Andy Burnham is occasionally mentioned. Of course, some of these are young and limited in experience but the same could have been said for Cameron who almost came from nowhere. I guess it depends to some extent on whether Brown resigns as PM (unlikely perhaps), or whether as leader of the opposition after a general election defeat?
James Purnell was also mentioned by the Sunday Times, but this is really mischief making. I don't see that 70 MPs are going to nominate an alternative candidate and I dom't see Brown resigning.
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