UK:THE FINAL day of the Labour Party conference was overshadowed by intrigue surrounding the disclosure that transport secretary Ruth Kelly is leaving the government at her own request in order to spend more time with her family.
Prime minister Gordon Brown had hoped to capitalise on the perceived success of his conference speech on Tuesday, but instead found himself dismissing suggestions of Downing Street "dirty tricks" and insisting there were "no political issues" between him and Ms Kelly.
The Northern Ireland-born minister maintained public loyalty to the prime minister in a farewell conference speech in which she spoke of the "tremendous privilege" to have worked under both Tony Blair and Mr Brown, whom she described as "two towering figures in the Labour Party, government and on the world stage".
Ms Kelly, who has four children aged 11 or under, told Mr Brown in May of her desire to leave government and prioritise her family life but was persuaded to stay in her post pending a planned cabinet reshuffle. However, Ms Kelly said she was "shocked" to hear that her plans had been made public in an overnight briefing instantly suspected as a Downing Street effort to maintain "control" of the story, lessen its potential impact and prevent it being used in the context of attempts to undermine Mr Brown's leadership.
Mr Brown denied this, telling the BBC that Ms Kelly's resignation was a personal one and had "nothing to do with politics". When it was put to him that Ms Kelly was not in fact "a big fan" of his, Mr Brown maintained: "She's a very good friend of mine - I think you've got that wrong." However, the BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, said Ms Kelly was known to be unhappy with the direction of the government in recent months and that, before this week's conference, a number of other ministers had considered resigning with her.
Her resignation now focuses attention on a cabinet reshuffle that could prove a test of Mr Brown's authority over his ministers. The danger that Mr Brown could create more enemies just as he hopes to see his political fortunes recover was underlined when chief whip Geoff Hoon was asked about reports that he might be appointed Britain's next European Commissioner. Mr Hoon insisted he had not had a discussion with Mr Brown "specifically relevant" to himself, while suggesting: "What would actually be by far the best solution, if it is possible, would be for Peter Mandelson to remain in post."
There is ongoing speculation about the position of Des Browne, the defence and Scottish secretary, with Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward being tipped in some circles as his possible replacement at defence.
There were suggestions that Mr Brown might think to "bind" would-be successor David Miliband closer by moving him to the treasury, while some MPs believe chancellor Alistair Darling would resist such a move.