4th June 2009

Hazel Blear's resignation from the Cabinet this week will come as a surprise to few after Gordon Brown singled out her expenses claims as "totally unacceptable", but now Blear's may have to give up her seat before the next general election for the good of her party.
Last night Channel 4 news went to her constituency in Salford and interviewed working men who had voted Labour their whole lives who said they wouldn't vote for Labour if Hazel Blears stood for re-election. With polls hinting at a possible hung parliament after the next general election, every seat may prove to be crucial, so the Salford Labour Party may have to ask Blears to step down if they wish to hold onto the seat.

Gordon Brown has come under great pressure, with backbenchers asking for a leadership contest, but is any one going to step up to the challenge. I believe Jack Straw and Alan Johnson are the only Cabinet members who could take on the role and this won't happen until Brown voluntarily stands down , as both have publicly supported his leadership recently.

The other big political story this week is the news that Jacqui Smith will quit the Cabinet. Sam Elliott has been reflecting on her tenure as Home Secretary at www.partlypoliticalbroadcast.co.uk.

Many apologies about not updating this in months, with no university to keep be busy over summer I have no excuses now, so will try harder!