James Purnell resigns - Says Gordon Brown must go.

James Purnell has just resigned and asked Gordon Brown to step down for the good of the Labour party. Good lad. He has stepped down not to run himself, but to clear the way for a new leader - Allan Johnson anyone? Apparently his team is fully in place.

From the Times:

“We both love the Labour Party. I have worked for it for 20 years and you for far longer. We know we owe it everything and it owes us nothing. I owe it to our party to say what I believe no matter how hard that may be. I now believe your continued leadership makes a Conservative victory more not less likely.

“The Party was here long before us, and we want it to be here long after we have gone. We must do the right thing by it.

“We need to show that we are prepared to fight to be a credible government and have the courage to offer an alternative future. I am therefore calling on you to stand aside to give our party a fighting chance of winning.

“My actions are my own considered view, nothing more. If the consensus is that you should continue, then I will support the Government loyally from the backbenches. But I do believe that this question now needs to be put.”

UPDATE: It's now 06:35 and I've been following the situation all night at work. I should be going to bed, but I'm staying up to watch history unfold. Not only does it look like Labour are going to suffer a crushing defeat in the local elections, but Gordon Brown is now facing a serious revolt and must re-shuffle immediately. There a few significant factors to consider this morning. Of all those coming out in support of Brown last night, we did not hear from Harman or Darling - either failing to give their support for Brown this morning will mean a definite end to Brown's premiership. Darling is likely to be unimpressed with being forced out of his job to be replaced by Brown's mate Balls. Also - where are Hoon and Mandleson?

It's going to be a very interesting morning.