The plotters insist that a leadership contest could help Brown

Whether or not it does oust Brown, it’s hard not to be impressed by just how well-managed the Labour backbench rebellion is.  The plotters’ latest strategic shift is to point out that Brown could actually emerge triumphant from a leadership contest.  Here’s George Howarth speaking to the Beeb earlier today:

“We’ve got to confront our problems and deal with them and i think a leadership contest is the best way to do that … It might not even be a new leader. It’s quite possible that Gordon could contest a contest and emerge stronger.”

Of course, I doubt Howarth, or any of the other plotters, believe that a leadership contest would do anything but undermine – and eventually finish off – the Brown premiership.  But the more they stress that they’re acting with the best interests of the whole party, including its leadership, in mind – rather than the interests of any one wing of the party – the more potent their case will be.