What the bloggers say
Updated on 06 January 2010
So what do the bloggers think of the leadership debate? Blogger Guido, Liberal Democrat Voice's Mark Pack and Labour's Twitter Tsar, Kerry McCarthy give their views.
Channel 4 News has asked eminent bloggers and Twitterers for their views on Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon call for a secret ballot on Gordon Brown's leadership.
Paul Staines, also known as Guido Fawkes, is Britain's leading political blogger. Labour MP Kerry McCarthy is the party's new media campaign spokesperson and their so-called Twitter Tsar. Mark Pack is co-editor Lib Dem Voice blog.
Here's what they had to say:
Paul Staines aka "Guy Fawkes" (http://order-order.com)
"Unless a cabinet minister throws in with the plotters I think it is probably too late for this challenge to work.
"But you never know. This was a surprise - it was new faces beyond Charles Clarke
"Reluctantly a lot of Labour MPs decided to stick with what they've got because the likely candidates, like Alan Johnson, don't seem keen to fight for it, and neither does David Miliband.
"But there are a lot of people we still haven't heard from - Harriet Harman in particular."
Mark Pack from Lib Dem Voice (www.libdemvoice.org)
"Today's events have all the makings of a fantastic political farce because if you were to launch a coup against the prime minister now is just about the worst time to do it.
"I guess it's just desperation because Labour know that under Gordon Brown they are facing a very heavy election defeat and they realise they only have one card left to play - and that's changing leader."
Kerry McCarthy Labour's "Twitter Tsar" (www.twitter.com/kerrymp)
"I really don't know what motivated the people to come out now. The time for speaking up would have been last year. I'm sure they won't achieve a change of leadership. It would be hugely damaging to the party if they did.
"It's notable that Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon only managed to wheel out the usual names like Charles Clarke and Frank Field.
"It's of course damaging to the party because Gordon Brown impressed everyone who was watching today at Prime Minister's Questions."
