UK foreign policy: Shrunken ambitions
Amid military spending constraints and the rise of new powers, the UK faces the waning of a global influence that has long punched above its weight
UK government crisis
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Gordon Brown is battling to shore up his position after a drubbing in European and local elections and a spate of resignations from his cabinet and government.
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Plot against PM was ‘distraction’
Alistair Darling, chancellor, condemned the plot to oust the prime minister as a “distraction”, saying he was too busy to take the plot seriously
Labour puts on display of solidarity
Britain’s prime minister tries to stamp his authority on a demoralised Labour party, after the third attempted party coup against his leadership in as many years
Ministers warned against Labour betrayal
Speaking in the wake of last week’s botched coup against Gordon Brown, Ed Balls, the schools secretary, urges the party to ‘get back proper politics rather than play politics’
Brown in peace talks to unite Labour
The prime minister has held further peace talks with disgruntled cabinet ministers and prepared to map out Labour’s election strategy, as he tries to unite his party
Cabinet pressure mounts on Brown
The prime minister has been told by two of his most senior ministers to change his leadership style, clarify Labour’s election strategy and abandon ‘class war’ rhetoric
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Comment & Analysis
Fury as plotters’ damage is done
By 4pm on Wednesday Labour managers believed the nascent rebellion had been crushed before it had even really started, as MPs were sent home early into the snow
Slow support for Brown reflects divisions
The seemingly grudging show of support for Gordon Brown from much of the cabinet after a coup attempt reflects deep divisions over strategy, say Labour insiders
Back to Harriet, darkness and despair
The Labour conference seems to have been going on for ever and the dividing line between reality and nightmare is starting to blur. Any benefit the conference might have provided to Labour has already dissipated
Cabinet cracks put Brown on back foot
The prime minister’s effort to make light of the coup attempt struck a sharp contrast with tensions in the cabinet revealed in the aftermath of the failed putsch
Small change despite call for change
Mr Brown has never learned to tell a story; perhaps that is because he has never really had one
Brown fights back
The next British election might just turn into a contest. Gordon Brown began his speech with a combative yet uncharacteristically succinct crescendo of the achievements of the past 12 years
Department of uncertainty
Whitehall is in despair over its latest crop of ministers, meanwhile Peter Mandelson’s ever-growing empire is causing confusion in the corridors of power, writes Sue Cameron
Editorial Comment
Missing the plot
The government has chosen to run the risk of a fiscal crisis by refusing to set out plans with sufficient rigour. But this vagueness, while regrettable, should end after the election
Immovable object
With the prime minister unable to change certain senior members of his cabinet, it is time for Alastair Darling to begin a new spending review
Brown’s vestigial authority on wane
Gordon Brown has a slim chance to assert his authority and restore some backbone to his invertebrate party. If he fails, the voters have the right to choose their new government at a general election
Time runs out for Gordon Brown
The stench of fin de siécle surrounds Mr Brown. When in a similar situation, John Major submitted himself to a “back me or sack me” leadership contest. The current prime minister should do the same
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