Gordon Brown officially doomed

Gordon Brown(link to story in his name) is pretty much dead, politically that is (although with what's gone down I'm sure he's probably had his share of death threats though) according to The Sun in Britian (think the UK version of the National Enquirer with slightly more credibility) has this story...

GORDON Brown was dealt a potentially mortal blow late tonight when James Purnell sensationally QUIT the Cabinet - and publicly called on the Prime Minister to resign to save the Labour Party.
Work and pensions supremo Mr Purnell dropped his bombshell at 10pm tonight. (~4pm CST). He telephoned the PM and sent him a letter which has been seen by The Sun. Blairite Mr Purnell, 39, told Mr Brown the Labour Party was bigger than both of them. And he insisted the party could not survive under Mr Brown's leadership. Crucially, Mr Purnell made it clear he is NOT interested in challenging Mr Brown for the Premiership. He made it clear he was resigning as an act of personal belief and would happily serve him as a backbencher if he refuses to step down. Mr Purnell wrote: "We both love the Labour Party. "I have worked for it for twenty 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 "That would be disastrous for our country. This moment calls for stronger regulation, an active state, better public services, an open democracy. "It calls for a government that measures itself by how it treats the poorest in society. Those are our values, not David Cameron's. "We therefore owe it to our country to give it a real choice. 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. And as such I am resigning from Government. "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. "I am not seeking the leadership, nor acting with anyone else. 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. "Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving." Mr Purnell did NOT share details of his resignation plans with any other Cabinet member. But his resignation is almost certain to increase the chances of others breaking Cabinet ranks and stepping down. A number of key Cabinet figures are known to be on the brink of walking out in protest at Mr Brown's leadership. They believe making Ed Balls Chancellor of the Exchequer would be a disaster for the government. And they are convinced Mr Brown cannot win them the next election. Mr Purnell was a rising star tipped for promotion in Monday's forthcoming reshuffle. He has impressed the PM and even the Tories with his handling of the work and pensions brief. He has brought in measures to tackle Britain's sicknote culture and get one million claimants off incapacity benefit. The minister is extremely close to Tony Blair and served as his adviser on culture, media and sport in Downing Street before becoming an MP. He won his Stalybridge and Hyde seat in Greater Manchester in 2001 and worked his way through the ministerial ranks swiftly. Many in the Labour Party have talked about him as a future leader and possible Prime Minister. But in recent months he has grown disillusioned with Mr Brown's leadership. News of his resignation will send shockwaves through the Labour Party ranks. It is certain to increase the numbers of backbenchers willing to sign the email coup letter circulating in the Commons. Mr Brown is planning his reshuffle for Monday but last night's political earthquake could force him to act on Friday. Mr Purnell's resignation came just 24 hours after communities secretary Hazel Blears quit. A day before that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith led a walkout from government by stepping down. And children's minister Beverley Hughes as well as Cabinet office minister Tom Watson also quit. Chancellor Alistair Darling is a vital piece of the reshuffle jigsaw. Mr Darling was last night fighting to save his Cabinet job despite it being made clear he will be moved. The PM wants to instal Children's Secretary Ed Balls as Chancellor. But Mr Darling has made it clear he will not go without a fight. And friends insisted he would NOT accept another job in Cabinet. His decision to walk out of Cabinet would be another hammer blow to Mr Brown. The PM was tonight in Downing Street waiting for news of the county council and European election results. Labour is braced for a hammering in the polls. It could lose control of its four remaining county councils in England. And the PM could be left with a rump of just 50councillors anywhere in the country. The party is also on course to come FOURTH in the European elections when results emerge on Sunday night.
Ouch... more to come folks, it may not be news here yet but it sure is fun as hell to watch. I mean who doesn't like a good political scandle?