Downing Street desperate to look tough  

Two bits of news have emerged this afternoon that indicate Number 10 really wants to strike a strong pose on the Labour ‘rebellion’ – but appears to be making a ham of it.

1) Firing someone who’s already quit. News emerged this morning that Brown had ‘fired’ forestry envoy Barry Gardiner MP for adding his voice to the rebels. Unfortunately for the PM, Guido has now broken the news that Gardiner had in fact resigned a couple days before Brown removed him.

2) Getting support – from the wrong people.  Margaret Beckett has told potential rebel MPs to fall in line or the electorate would not forgive Labour. Unfortunately some of Brown’s cabinet (which, of course, Beckett isn’t a part of) isn’t quite so forceful.  John Hutton – a potential leadership rival – said he “would not criticise” those who wanted a leadership debate.

Brown understandably wants to reassert Number 10’s authority, but the way he’s going about it is more Mr Bean than Stalin…