One-third of Cabinet now believe Brown’s days are numbered

As they survey the wreckage of Labour's Glasgow East by-election disaster, their candidate in the Labur stronghold beaten into second place by the SNP, Cabinet ministers believe the chances of a putsch against Gordon Brown are increasing. According to one estimate this morning, one-third of the Cabinet think his days are numbered. The trouble is that no one wants to be seen as his assassin.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Schools Secretary Ed Balls are considered to be the crucial figures in the Prime Minister's future. Colleagues say the former wants the job – even if as an emergency stop-gap to limit the damage at the next election – while the latter has the most influence over Brown.

Alan Johnson is being talked up as best-placed to step into the breach. One enthusiastic supporter claims the chirpy Londoner is in the best position to shore up Labour's collapsing vote. The trouble is that Johnson has made it clear - privately and publicly - he does not want the job. By contrast Harriet Harman is viewed as plainly manoeuvring for the post.

A senior party figure told the Mole: "We have lost the [next] election, there's no doubt about that. It’s all about limiting the damage."

David Cameron has today skilfully exploited Labour's agonies by calling for a general election – only a year after he was desperate to avoid one. There is no chance of that happening, however.

Brown, meanwhile, resorted to his usual mantra today, insisting he was "getting on with the job", and brushing aside any talk of a leadership challenge. However, in the real world of Westminster, the chances of one materialising before the Labour party conference in the autumn are growing.

THE MOLE: GLASGOW EAST DEFEAT

FIRST POSTED JULY 25, 2008