Backbencher's 10 demands to save Gordon Brown
A LABOUR MP sent Gordon Brown a series of ultimatums last night if Labour is to avoid a huge defeat at the next election.
Backbencher John Mann’s list of 10 demands for overhauling Government policy included slashing benefits paid to immigrants and far tighter monitoring of those entering the UK.
His comments were doubly embarrassing for Mr Brown as he is usually loyal to the Labour leadership.
Mr Mann said: “We cannot hope to regain our popularity without addressing these issues.
“Many people do have concerns about the effects of immigration and we cannot ignore that.
“I want Gordon Brown to deal with the issues that Tony Blair ducked.”
I want Gordon Brown to deal with the issues that Tony Blair ducked.
Mr Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, also said that some disillusioned Labour voters were switching to the British National Party.
Last week the neo-Nazi BNP polled more votes than Labour in Cabinet Minister Ed Balls’ constituency in West Yorkshire. Mr Mann warned: “In Barnsley, Rotherham, Stoke, Leeds and Kirklees the BNP have been polling very heavily.”
Last night Tory frontbencher Chris Grayling said: “The whole thing is becoming absolutely shambolic.
“There seem to be 350 different opinions about what the Labour Party needs to do. The only person with no idea is Gordon Brown.’’
Senior Tory MP Nigel Evans said that Mr Mann was just one in a long line of worried MPs who would be “lining up’’ with ideas.
Mr Evans said: “One thing Gordon Brown won’t be short of in the coming weeks and months is advice.
“A lot of Labour MPs are clearly worried about saving their seats.
“The panic is everywhere. You can smell it a mile off.”
JOHN MANN'S POLICY DEMANDS
IDENTITY CARDS: Biometric passport should be immediately accepted as the ID Card, with a separate ID card required for everyone without a biometric British passport
BENEFITS: Should be withdrawn from those who are capable of work but refuse to do so
TAX ALLOWANCES: Should be increased to ensure over 60s pay no tax up to £20,000
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN EUROPE: Restrict benefits paid to temporary immigrants
ELECTED HOUSE OF LORDS: With fixed term Parliaments
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: Financial penalties on parents where children are running wild
HOUSING: Build 500,000 new pensioner bungalows for rent, freeing up family sized social housing, while allowing
pensioners greater choice
AGENCY WORKERS BILL: To stop employers under-cutting British wages with cheaper foreign workers
FUEL DUTY PRICE DE-ESCALATOR: To reduce duty as oil prices rise
RENEWABLE ENERGY: A major expansion of solar and other renewable energy supplies into housing, with
large incentives to invest in green alternatives
***WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JOHN MANN'S TEN COMMANDMENTS?
DO YOU HAVE ANY TO ADD? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW!***