My take on today's attempted plot to oust Gordon Brown is that Labour MP's are more interested in saving their own skins than saving our country from further financial chaos

Former Cabinet Ministers Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt have called for a ballot on Gordon Brown’s leadership

 Our economy is being driven by a man heading for a cliff edge who keeps accelerating and it appears that all some Labour MP's are interested in, is bettering their electoral chances of survival by trying to ditch the unelected and admittedly useless Prime Minister.

We are potentially only a matter of weeks away from a General Election and as the former ministers say the Labour Party is "deeply divided" but frankly people are not interested in having a "secret ballot to determine the leadership question" or any of Labour's other woes.

The only "secret ballot" that is needed is an immediate General Election so we can start and get our country back on it's feet as the Government is paralysed.

My chum Eric Pickles agrees with me "it's irresponsible to have such a dysfunctional, faction ridden Labour Party running the country", when "everyday a Labour MP is turning on the Prime Minister".

"Ministers are more concerned about saving their own political skin than actually getting Britain out of the monumental mess we are in", he said

Below is the full text of a letter from Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt to all Labour MPs calling for a secret ballot on the leadership of the party.

Dear Colleague,

As we move towards a general election it remains the case that the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) is deeply divided over the question of the leadership.

Many colleagues have expressed their frustration at the way in which this question is affecting our political performance.

We have therefore come to the conclusion that the only way to resolve this issue would be to allow every member to express their view in a secret ballot.

This could be done quickly and with minimum disruption to the work of MPs and the government.

Whatever the outcome the whole of the party could then go forward, knowing that this matter had been sorted out once and for all.

Strong supporters of the prime minister should have no difficulty in backing this approach.

There is a risk, otherwise, that the persistent background briefing and grumbling could continue up to and possibly through the election campaign, affecting our ability to concentrate all of our energies on getting our real message across.

Equally those who want change, should they lose such a vote, would be expected by the majority of the Parliamentary Labour Party to devote all of their efforts to winning the election.

The implications of such a vote would be clear - everyone would be bound to support the result.

This is a clear opportunity to finally lay this matter to rest. The continued speculation and uncertainty is allowing our opponents to portray us as dispirited and disunited.

It is damaging our ability to set out our strong case to the electorate. It is giving our political opponents an easy target.

In what will inevitably be a difficult and demanding election campaign, we must have a determined and united parliamentary party. It is our job to lead the fight against our political opponents.

We can only do that if we resolve these distractions. We hope that you will support this proposal.

Yours fraternally,

Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt