Brown defiant at Labour conference
Gareth Ludkin looks back at an eventful Labour conference as Gordon Brown makes a rousing speech
F resh back from Holiday, Gordon Brown certainly hasn’t had the easiest couple of the weeks with the global economy crumbling and the credit crunch continuing to hit people’s pockets, he’s certainly not the flavour of the month. On top of this his party has questioned his leadership and his popularity has well and truly plunged among the electorate. At such a crucial time now is the perfect time for Brown to tackle his demons and state his intentions at last week’s crucial annual Labour conference.
Following on from a buoyant Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth all eyes were on Manchester as delegates debated Labour’s next move. A wide range of key issues were discussed at the conference but two topics stood out, the economy and more controversially questions over Brown’s leadership. In the bars and corridors the talk was of leadership, back bench rebels and leadership challenges. For now there is no real challenge to the leadership David Miliband chose instead to show a united front; he along with the rest of the cabinet sat together on stage while delegates publicly stated their support for the PM. Behind the scenes, however, there were just as many doubting his credentials.
Thabo Mbeki forced out of office
The President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki resigned last week after the executive committee of the African National Conference decided to ‘recall’ the president from his position. Thabo Mbeki has obliged and will step down from the position he has held for 9 years.
Mbeki was expected to step down next year after the completion of a second successful term in office, however his resignation has been brought forward due to ‘political meddling’ in corruption and fraud charges against Jacob Zuma who had managed to oust Mbeki from the presidency of the ANC last December. The corruption charges related to a multi-billion-rand arms deal. Zuma’s financial adviser is already serving a 15 year jail sentence on similar charges.
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