Brown knew he had to fall on his sword. But will it work?

The progressive alliance versus the Tories, Murdoch, the right-wing press and the City -- the fight

By James Macintyre Published 11 May 2010 11:04

Gordon Brown was fully aware he would have to step down as Labour leader over recent days, confidants say.

This is noteworthy because he is frequently accused of being "delusional" and a "control freak". Instead, he recognised that his position had been damaged by Nick Clegg's ushering in of the concept of a "mandate" during the campaign, and -- remarkably -- he told Clegg face to face that he would go.

It is not clear at this stage whether the "progressive alliance", which his act of sacrifice brings to the table, will work. According to one back-channel intermediary in favour of a Labour-Lib Dem coalition, there is a danger that "the Lib Dems may get impatient, including with any early positioning for the leadership, and decide the only way forward is with the Tories".

Brown and his negotiating team will be hoping that the Lib Dems can hold their nerve against the mighty forces of conservatism that now include hostile Tories as well as the Murdoch press, a BBC acting as if it has been robbed of its script, and elements of the City. Still, the fight is on.

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Tags: Election 2010 Hung Parliament

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6 comments

Tue, 2010-05-11 11:16 — davidk1

You forgot to add to your list of the 'forces of Conservatism' against a Progressive Alliance the name of John Reid. It would appear that Mr Reid - who's time should really be spent on finding a new manager for Celtic Football Club - will be camped out on College Green for the forseeable ready and willing to pass judgement on former colleagues.

Tue, 2010-05-11 12:01 — robjam (not verified)

A less progressive politician than John Reid it would be hard to find. Remember his implacable, and patronising, objection to the smoking ban whilst Health Secretary, in spite of all the health-based evidence in its favour? Let those poor wee working class folk who don't know any better have their wee fag of comfort (& suffer the consequences while they're at it).

Tue, 2010-05-11 12:38 — bernard2

we are acting like a bunch of ignorents in the uk about hung parliaments , its mind blowing realy . in other counterys it takes a few weeks to put together coalitions , its no big deal . we are all running around like chickens with our heads cut of. the new zealanders are haveing a great laough at us .ITS NOT LAB AND THE LIBS FAULT FOR A 4TH TIME IN A ROW THE CONS COULDENT WIN A MAJORITY. ANY WAY DURING THE ELECTION CAMRON RULED OUT ANY DEAL WITH THE LIB DEMS , THEY HELD CLEGG TO WHAT HE SAID , WHY NOT DAVID CAMRON / I WILL NOT WORK WITH THE LIB DEMS THE CON LEADER SAID . his word means nothing.

Tue, 2010-05-11 12:47 — Stan Nattrass (not verified)

I am always suspicious of the Liberals. I well remember them in the 70s when we coalesced with them. Then they dumped Callaghan and delivered us into the hands of Thatcher.

Tue, 2010-05-11 13:24 — Reginald-Fah-fah

David Cameron should step back and allow Labour to team up with the Liberal Democrats. Labour will double-cross the liberal Democrats and at the next general elections, the Conservatives will totally clear up!

Tue, 2010-05-11 22:50 — bernard2

reginald are you predicting another con landslide then ? , it will be 20 years in the cold for the cons then . and this gentleman says it will be a con landslide ,SIR YOU CANT EVEN COBBLE TOGETHER MORE THAN 35% OF THE VOTE ON THE RIGHT AND THATS AFTER THREE TERMS IN OPPOSITION , HOW THE HELL ARE YOU LOT EVER GOING TO WIN A LANDSLIDE . LAW OF AVRAGES LABOURS HIT ROCK BOTTOM THE PENDULIM IS DUE FOR A SWING BACK TO LABOUR AFTER TWO ELECTIONS NOW MOVEING TO THE TORIES .ILL GIVE SOME EVIDENCE FOR THIS THE LOCAL BODY COUNCIL GAINS FOR LABOUR AT THE ELECTION . THE SCOTLAND LABOUR VOTE . IF THE PARTY HAD GONE INTO THIS ELECTION WITHOUT BROWN THE TORIES AND THEIR SILLY SOCIETY WOULD HAVE BEEN SOUNDLT TROUNCED . LOOKING FORWARD TO DAVID MILLIBAND TAKEING THE LEADERSHIP , THE LIB DEMS HAVE TO PROVE THEY CAN LAST IN A COALITION . DEPENDING HOW THE COALITION BEHAVES TOGETHER WILL DETERMINE WEATHER OR NOT THE PEOPLE VOTE for PR. regi ol chap my prediction the tories will self destruct and move ferther to the right , thus makeing them selves un electable . LAB PLUS THE LIBS IS A CHANGE OF GOVENMENT ITS NOT A LABOUR GOVENMENT ITS A PROGRESSIVE MULTI PARTY GOVENMENT IF NICK GOES WITH LABOUR .