MP Stephen Byers calls for Gordon Brown to quit

Jun 9 2009 by William Green, The Journal

FORMER Cabinet Minister Stephen Byers last night demanded Gordon Brown quit immediately in a searing attack on his leadership.

The North Tyneside MP said the country needed an inspiring leader able to win the next general election for Labour rather than a “humiliating” defeat.

“Gordon Brown is not that leader,” said Mr Byers, who won applause from Labour activists at a meeting in Parliament last night.

Mr Byers attacked the Prime Minister’s promise to get on with the job as an “insult” that failed to recognise the “humiliation” of Labour getting just 16% of the national vote in elections last Thursday.

“For Labour through our failure to engage with the electorate to allow the BNP to have representatives in the European Parliament is not just a humiliation, it’s a disgrace,” added the North Tyneside MP.

And he signalled Labour faces writing a new “longest suicide note in history” if it sticks with Mr Brown with as crushing a defeat as in 1983.

“We all knew that under Michael Foot we were heading for defeat but we did nothing about it.

“Labour loyalty blinded us from the harsh electoral reality of certain defeat.

“After the 1983 election we faced 14 further years of Tory rule with devastating consequences for millions of citizens. We must not repeat this mistake again,” said Mr Byers.

He added: “Gordon Brown knows the real price that will be paid for a Labour defeat.

“So for all those people, families and communities who need a Labour government to protect and promote their interests, now is the time for Gordon Brown to stand down as Labour leader and Prime Minister.”

Mr Byers attacked the Prime Minister’s style of leadership, saying party activists were not treated as valued assets.