Action stations: GB to address PLP

Stand by your beds. Gordon Brown is to rally his troops on Monday night by addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party.

The Prime Minister usually only addresses the PLP at the start of a session, or when there is a real panic on. He is taking the opportunity to send his foot soldiers out onto the streets to campaign for the May local elections.

It follows the 'focus group' political cabinet last week where the normally quiet John Hutton was apparently very vociferous in saying that the gloves should come off and the Government should sock it to David Cameron.

Stephen Carter, Brown's new political advisor, got the Cabinet to break up into small groups to brainstorm over the campaign. Carter has favoured a subtle approach in dealing with 'Dave'. That's not in Brown's nature and his embattled followers are expecting to see the 'great clunking fist' in action on Monday.

THE MOLE: MAY ELECTIONS

FIRST POSTED MARCH 28, 2008