Bassetlaw MP, John Mann is arguing that Labour will only have any influence in the outcome of the current negotiations if Gordon Brown agrees to step down as Leader of the Labour Party.

Mann said "On the doorstep, throughout the election campaign I found that there was a lot of support for Labour's approach on the economy, health and education, but there was little support for Gordon Brown to be Prime Minister.

Literally, thousands of voters told me that they were happy to vote for me, but it was not a vote for Gordon Brown.  Many others stated that they would have voted for me if Gordon Brown was not the Prime Minister and Labour Leader.

Gordon Brown has had a good run and whilst he was an excellent Chancellor he has been seen as a poor Prime Minister who is out of touch and aloof.  Labour lost votes because of this.

Whatever happens in the next few days, Gordon Brown should not lead Labour into any future election and he should stand down before the next Labour Party Conference.

Gordon Brown's continuation as the Party's leader rules out the credibility of a Lib/Lab pact that has to prioritise the modernisation and reform of the antiquated UK political systems, the continued stablilisation of the economy in partnership with the need to protect front line public sector jobs and services."

John Mann added "its extraordinary that the Parliamentary Labour Party has not been convened in this emergency situation."