Brown loses control of Cabinet
Updated on 03 June 2009
Hazel Blears sidesteps sacking and quits her Cabinet post with responsibility for local government, on the very eve of local government elections. Is this the beginning of the end for Gordon Brown? Gary Gibbon reports.
His Cabinet reshuffle is on erratic autopilot. Blears, who many said should have been sacked weeks ago for her flagrant property and tax doings, has been allowed to go at her own timing and at the very worst of times for Gordon Brown.
Her self-serving resignation letter never mentions him or the expenses scandal that sank her.
Her broach today emblazoned with "rocking the boat" said it all.
Matters are so serious that the prime minister invited in one of his most long-standing foes - John Reid.
Was he offered the Home Office again? No, says Number 10, they talked about football apparently.
When Harold Macmillan did it, they called it the night of the long knives, but ahead of his planned reshuffle Gordon Brown left the knife hanging around and ministers have been plunging it into their own political flesh.
The home secretary, the communities secretary, the cabinet office minister and the children's minister for instance.
Some are asking tonight how many more resignations it will take for Mr Brown to turn the knife upon himself? Indeed is he any longer able to make a reshuffle that can stick?
Tonight, as Channel 4 News reports, the prime minister is facing an email campaign by a group of Labour MPs intent on forcing him out.
