Skipper

It often seems quixotic to me that politicians queue up to be prime minister. All the insoluble problems end up on your desk, you work 18 hours a day and still you make negilible progress. Take Gordon for example. He hopes to relieve the pressure of a 17point poll deficit as conference looms by seeking to star in New York.

But while his UN speech goes down OK, back home it's the fact that Obama ignored five entreaties from Number 10 for some face time which grabs the attention. And all the time he's there, Baroness Scotland, his Attorney General, is twisting in the wind of her mistaken employment an illegal immigrant. And the political arithmetic is encouraging his erstwhile backbench supporters to turn their minds again to their majorities and the next election, sitting ominously on the horizon.

After Martin Kettle's recent article predicting a plot likely to reach its culmination in 12th October, comes Seamus Milne suggesting similar things. He quotes a 'senior minister' on Labour's unpopularity:

"A third is about the government's old age, a third is about Gordon, and a third is because the Tories appear smiley and electable. But the electorate hasn't yet clocked the price they will pay for voting Conservative and the colossal loss it would mean in terms of what they take for granted in public services and their daily lives."

On Wednesday Charles Clarke, someone Brown should have kept inside the tent, delivered another withering attack on his leader, concluding he ought to step aside now while his dignity is still a fact. 'Most people think a new leader would be worth 5%' according to a Cabinet member, writes Milne, 'which would take us into hung parliament territory.' But there is no guarantee this premium would materialise, nor is there the necessary condition: a 'frontrunner'. But Milne suggests one might think of stepping forward, given that the likes of Miliband and Johnson would stand more of a chance before an election rather than after.

I agree with Milne that Labour MPs should look to themselves as well as Brown for blame for their plight. But I'm doubtful he is right over the alleged coup being plotted. Each time one wobbles down the runway and fails to take off, MPs have said, 'well, he's got to improve his game or next time he's history'. With only seven months to go there is no time left for a next time.