FORMER Home Secretary Charles Clarke's message to Gordon Brown that the Labour Party will not allow him to lead them to "utter destruction" is the strongest hint yet that the party might be prepared to find someone else to lead them to victory at the next election.
Although Mr Clarke was never in the Brown camp, it is still a stark warning that if he does not quickly re-assert himself a challenge may be mounted sooner rather than later.
Those reluctant to push the panic button and change horses in mid race m
ight draw some encouragement from what is happening across the Atlantic in the US Presidential race.
Even were he allowed to stand again George W Bush is a spent force and could not possibly win another term. But the Republicans are still very much in the hunt with John McCain running neck and neck for the White House against Barack Obama. It is the usual battle of personalities – the grizzled war hero against the young black "celebrity" senator.
To add some spice to the mix Mr McCain's controversial choice of inexperienced running mate, 44-year-old former beauty queen and Alaska governor Sarah Palin, has put the focus as much on people as politics. Despite the "Babygate" affair and attacks on Mrs Palin's relative inexperience in government, she still commands between 70 and 80 per cent in the crucial public approval ratings.
Personality politics is far more important in a US presidential election that a Westminster general election but although both Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher benefited from their strong personalities, they were also faced with weak opponents. There is growing concern among Labour ranks that Mr Brown simply does not possess sufficient charisma and that if he goes down many MPs will go down with him.
The problem facing Labour is that if it's not Mr Brown then who is it? There is no time for a major new figure to emerge who could both make a difference in government and reinvigorate the party.
Where is Labour's John McCain or Sarah Palin? Are the relatively inexperienced David Miliband or James Purnell really ready for the challenge? Or are old war horses like Jack Straw or even Mr Clarke himself likely to make a difference?
Personality clearly matters, but in the UK bread and butter issues like the cost of living, the economy, taxation and the health service still count for more. And a recent opinion poll found changing leader would make no difference.
It will not just come down to a simple choice between Mr Brown or Mr Cameron but what they and their parties have to offer.
The full article contains 453 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
