Brown exit 'is a blow to Britain'
DERBY'S Labour MPs say Gordon Brown's announcement that he will resign as Prime Minister is a blow to Britain.
The move came on another day of high political drama in Westminster as both Labour and the Conservatives tried to win the support of the Liberal Democrats in order to form a working Government.
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stepping down: PM Gordon Brown.
Mr Brown said that if Labour and the Lib Dems could form a coalition he would oversee the process as Prime Minister to ensure stability.
But his tenure would not last beyond his party's next conference in October, when he would stand down.
Meanwhile the Tories offered the Lib Dems a referendum on electoral reform in a final bid to secure a coalition.
News that Mr Brown could remain in Downing Street over the summer angered Tory MPs, but Labour members said a Government in which their party had a hand would be the best option for the country.
The new Derby North MP, Chris Williamson, said: "I suppose it's not a major surprise but it is a huge disappointment. He's been a towering figure in Labour and the UK as Chancellor and Prime Minister.
"History will present a much fairer picture of him and what he's done for the country than is often presented now."
On learning that formal talks between Labour and the Lib Dems to form a coalition Government had opened, Mr Williamson did not hide his discomfort, claiming the Lib Dems were "untrustworthy".
But he said: "The Tory party would be disastrous for the economy and for Derby and so it's definitely in the national interest that the Government is Labour-influenced."
Derby South Labour MP Margaret Beckett also said there were risks with forming a coalition with the Lib Dems.
"I'd be anxious if it appeared we were serving the interests of the Lib Dems rather than the interests of the country," she said. "That's why I'm a little surprised and disappointed that if we were to go in that direction we might not have one of the most expert players on our side.
"I would have liked to see Gordon and Alistair Darling guiding the country right through until the recovery was properly locked in."
Earlier yesterday Tory and Lib Dem officials were locked in negotiations.
Rumours emerged that a deal had been hammered out, but by mid-afternoon the Lib Dems announced that while talks with the Tories would continue, Nick Clegg's party would also be open to formal discussions with Labour.
South Derbyshire Tory MP Heather Wheeler believes Mr Brown had to go.
She said: "If the Liberal Democrats make a pact with Labour it's nothing more than a grubby deal to keep someone else who is unelected as Prime Minister and it is totally unacceptable."
5 Comments
by paul, derby
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 7:48AM
“Good riddance! I used to support Labour but I've realised that this man is a traitor to the good people of Britain by helping other nationalities first and British people and businesses last. He really is a traitor and should be put on trial for treason. Strong words maybe, but I actually believe in them.”
by Chris, Derby
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 12:33AM
“A Blow to Britain? Gordon Brown's hopes of becoming Prime minister were hindered by Tony Blair's refusal to quit the post when he was supposed to . Brown and Blair clearly did not get on well. Brown the bad tempered bully boy (according to those who worked in his offices) was not elected as prime Minister.
The electoral map showed that most of England had turned blue, with a few pockets of red and yellow. Labour lost 100 seats leaving the Conservatives just short of an over all majority - clearly Britain did not blow hard enough.
In the final days, Labour did all it could to cling to power, in the end it was their own inability to shed some of the deeply ingrained party dogma that cost them any chance of a deal with the Liberal Democrats. This was a GOOD thing and the best thing that could have happened to Britain.
Derby has two Labour MPs, one is a lady who has built up a great deal of respect from her constituents of all political persuasions, she's made a mess of her own PR lately but probably deserves to be allowed to continue as MP due to her long standing relationship with the people of Derby South, although I voted against her I accept her as my legally elected MP.
The other MP is a man so full of bile and hatred of the opposition parties, he has a record of abusive behaviour, especially towards the Liberal Democrats. His rantings on BBC Radio have shocked quite a few listeners, and his appalling bully boy behaviour at council meetings - available on line at the Council's web cast web page, is shocking and disgraceful for a man who claims to be a servant of the people. He is also going to try to keep two jobs, no doubt with the pay that both jobs deliver, depite that fact that Gordon Brown said that NO Labour MP will be allowed to have another job outside of Westminster while ever they are an MP.”
by david, Littleover
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 2:54PM
“A prime minister who was not offered for election , who has presided not only over some of the most extravagant government expenditure this country has ever seen, but also some of the most appalling collection of legislative decisions ever made. He has to go quietly back to his semi and shopping at Sainsburys like the rest of us (and Margaret Beckett).`
We can not afford to kept in the dark anymore (or in the Brown) about how dire our financial situation is.
All the Lib Dems have done is to dilute the possible methods which are needed to (a) protect our freedom and liberty (b) restore support schools and education system(c) reduce government expenditure (d) ensure all who come to live here satisfy more stringent standards in order to settle or work here and reassess qualifications for being able to live and work here.
PR and electoral reform are not going to provide a means of effective and directional governance.
Let's just have another general election soon and see the Lib Dems share of the vote disappear down the plug hole. A waste of ballot paper space.”
by esc, derby
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 12:09PM
“he didnt want the job as PM in the first place and anyway... i cant see how come its a blow to britain, britains glad to see the back of the spineless lump!.”
by Angela, Derby
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 11:31AM
“A blow? Who are they kidding?”