Part Two: Worrying Calls...
August 2011:
Following the establishment of the new government, William Hague begins to continue the work of his predecessor. On 5th August Downing Street unveils a new e-petition website to encourage public interaction with parliamentary politics. Within hours a petition is created calling for a snap General Election.
The Prime Minister faces his first real test two days later when riots break out in Tottenham. Two days later riots spread across the whole of England, police struggle to keep order and Parliament is recalled as a result.
By August 12th violence escalates following the murder of a young racial minority, race riots begin and are countered by skinhead thugs, reportedly led and supported by the BNP. The death of a policeman causes an EDL march through London, blaming Muslims for the murder.
Riots finally end on August 15th following the arrest of BNP leader Nick Griffin, convicted of assault and subsequently expelled from the European Parliament.
On August 29th the number of signatures for a snap General Election reaches 100,000, the number required for a House of Commons debate on the issue. Labour begin attacking the government for being "un-democratic" and "out of touch" when no debate is announced on the issue. However, the prospect of another election not only sparks panic for the Conservative Party, but for the Labour Party. With doubts still hovering over Ed Miliband's abilities as Leader, rumours begin to spread over a possible leadership challenge.
September 2011:
A poll "bounce" for the Conservative and Liberal Democrats following Hague's handling of the August Riots fuel speculation over a snap election. Calls grow from the Tory backbenches to call an election while the Labour benches remain uneasily quiet. The postponing of a vote on the Fixed-term Parliament Act creates even more rumours. Backroom talks continue over the possibility of a Labour Leadership challenger and Ed Miliband is faced with many tough questions.
On September 18th he is asked about the future of his leadership on the Andrew Marr Show and is seen shaken by the answer, refusing to comment on the issue. Within hours "Sack Ed" campaigns spring up with Labour activists, most prominent with a "LabourList" blog post asking the question "Could He Really Be Prime Minister?"
On September 21st David Miliband rebuffs claims of a planned leadership challenge saying, "my brother is the leader of this party and will stay that way". Five days later Labour holds a very uneasy party conference Liverpool. Almost constant coverage is held on BBC Parliament and other news channels with many red hearing reports coming through over a leadership challenge. Throughout the conference tipped challengers included:
- Ed Balls
- David Miliband
- Yvette Cooper
- Douglas Alexander
- Jim Murphy
- Rachel Reaves
- Chuka Umunna
- Harriet Harmen
- Andy Burnham