Gordon must go, says Martin

2.56.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Sep 2009

CHELTENHAM MP Martin Horwood has called for Gordon Brown to stand down or call a General Election. His comments come as the Liberal Democrats appear to be overtaking Labour in the opinion polls and Labour chancellor Alistair Darling has admitted many members of the government have 'lost the will to live'.

Martin commented: 'Labour have clearly lost the election both in Cheltenham and nationwide. The Liberal Democrats stand ready to win a swathe of Labour seats in our big cities and across the north of England and become a much stronger reforming force in the next Parliament. But we really can't wait for another eight months with a complete lame duck government.'

'Gordon Brown is presiding over a government that hasn't just lost the confidence of the public; it has lost confidence in itself. That is very dangerous when there are contentious issues about cuts and jobs, local services and local green spaces to be made in the coming months. If even they don't believe they have any public support left, what authority do they have to make those controversial decisions? They should either call an election now or, failing that, at least find someone new to take over who is willing to rethink their whole approach to some of the big issues facing the country.'