Party rules broken by plotters' call for a secret ballot

Staunch allies of Gordon Brown have condemned Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt's plan for a secret leadership ballot among Labour MPs, describing it as "unconstitutional". In Labour Party terms, they are right.

The party rules around leadership elections are notoriously

complicated. They vary depending on whether or not there is a leader already in situ, and whether the party is in Government or opposition at the time.

At least 20 per cent of all Labour MPs must back a challenge to the leadership. This equates to 71 MPs in the current parliamentary make-up.

But even if the plotters could get together 71 signatures, the Labour Party Rule Book states a leadership contest against a sitting PM must also be agreed at a party conference – normally held once a year, in September.

If a majority of Labour Party members at the conference support a contest, the leadership election would then go ahead with Labour MPs, unions and party members all having a say.

The reality, however, is that party leaders and Prime Ministers are rarely brought down according to the rule book.

Tony Blair was forced to name a date for his resignation by opponents in the party who threatened to withdraw support. Margaret Thatcher famously stood down mid-way through a leadership contest after her cabinet colleagues told her she no longer had their backing.

If enough key members of Gordon Brown's cabinet withdrew their support, or if enough Labour MPs publicly declared their opposition to his leadership, then he would probably be forced to resign.

An interim leader would then be required. This could be the deputy leader – currently Harriet Harman – but the final decision would rest with the Cabinet. This interim leader could potentially lead the party until the next annual conference in September, when a leadership challenge would be possible.

With a vacancy at the head of the party, the support of only 12.5 per cent of Labour MPs – currently 44 members – would be needed to call for a leadership election.

FOR AND AGAINST

FOR A BALLOT

GEOFF HOON: Former chief whip and Cabinet minister.

PATRICIA HEWITT: Former Health Secretary.

CHARLES CLARKE: Long-time critic of Mr Brown's leadership.

FRANK FIELD: The leader of the 10p tax rebellion.

BARRY SHEERMAN: Senior backbencher who has already called publicly for the PM to be removed.

AGAINST A BALLOT

ED BALLS: Mr Brown's closest Cabinet lieutenant.

ANDY BURNHAM: Health Secretary.

SHAUN WOODWARD: Northern Ireland Secretary.

LORD MANDELSON: Spokesman said the PM "continues to have the support of his colleagues".

TONY LLOYD: The chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

JOHN McDONNELL: Prominent left-winger.

JOHN McFALL: Described the ballot call as "a death wish".

CHRIS BRYANT: Europe minister, who described the Hoon/Hewitt initiative as a "damp squib".

SADIQ KHAN: Insisted Mr Brown was "the only person" for the job

DAVID BLUNKETT: Said a ballot was "not wanted... and not needed".

MARGARET BECKETT: Former Foreign Secretary said Labour would be "completely mad" to think about removing Mr Brown.

GERALDINE SMITH: Dismissed Mr Brown's internal party critics as "joke figures".

JOHN MANN: Dismissed Mr Hoon's involvement as "sour grapes".