Brown faces the Commons
By Ian Dunt
Gordon Brown is facing one of the most important prime minister’s questions of his administration today, as he tries to reassert his authority after a devastating series of resignations.
The prime minister was hit by resignation after resignation yesterday, losing several Cabinet members – including the home secretary – ahead of a reshuffle sometime before Monday.
He also has to contend with the upcoming local and European elections, taking place tomorrow, which are expected to deliver a damning assessment of the Labour government.
Most analysts are expecting Labour to lose all county councils under its control, while there are predictions of the party falling to fourth place in the European elections.
Reports of a leadership contest against Mr Brown have grown in number over the last few days as the authority he intended to stamp on the reshuffle fell apart under the weight of leaks and sudden resignations dominating Westminster.
A motion calling for the dissolution of parliament will be tabled by the Scottish National party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru next week, which has already received support for the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
