There's a lot of talk of Brown facing a leadership challenge at some point this year - possibly after a meltdown in the June local and European elections or at, or before, the Labour Party conference. I think it's all wishful thinking as there is no obvious alternative candidate who would have sufficient backing from the comrades or the ability to make a credible fist (clunking or otherwise!) of it.
No, it is more likely that the Labour ship, although holed below the water line, will limp on until it hits the rocks in the spring of 2010. A small band of survivors have already donned their life jackets and manoeuvred themselves close to the lifeboats. They will not go down with the ship and will live to fight another day.
