I think a leadership election would be a marvellous thing for Labour. They could get weeks of coverage on their agenda, have a new leader capable of credibly separating themselves from the cock-ups and baggage of the last dozen years, and call an election before anyone realises their lack of capability. That way Labour might merely lose the next election instead of being destroyed; another twelve months of Brown will condemn them to utter annihilation. I would not be surprised if the LibDems return more MPs than Labour should Brown soldier on for another year.

However, I expect Brown to ride this one out. The Labour party system makes it difficult to displace him, whilst any replacement must understand all they will do is lead Labour out of office so the people who really aspire to leadership will doubtless wait until they've lost the next election and they have a chance of leading for some time. Brown cares far more about clinging on to power than he does about either the country or the Labour party and will do so to the cost of both.