THIS WEEK 10p tax again

His U-turn on the 10p rate of tax was not the end of the affair. Frank Field, the leader of the rebels, is threatening to put down a Commons motion demanding that the government provide a “roadmap” for compensating those who lost out, or face the consequences

THIS MONTH Appointing a new Labour general secretary

Nobody wants this poisoned chalice. Last week David Pitt Watson, who was appointed in March, bailed out before he had even started the job. Who wants the headache of sorting out the woeful party fi nances, or the risk of carrying the can for any other skeletons in the closet?

MAY 22 Crewe & Nantwich by-election

Another unwelcome popularity test triggered by death of veteran backbencher Gwyneth Dunwoody. The Tories already have their troops on the ground. Dunwoody had a 7,000-strong majority but in the current climate, anything is possible. Labour backbenchers will see defeat as a sure sign they’ll soon be getting their P45s

LATE MAY Human Embryology and Fertility Bill

Backbenchers and some cabinet ministers are deeply uncomfortable with proposed new laws allowing creation of human-animal hybrids, and so-called sibling saviours. This time bomb has been ticking for months. Brown has promised various free votes in an attempt to defuse it but damaging rebellions are guaranteed

JUNE “42 days” bill

Brown brought this headache on himself with his determination to extend the period terror suspects can be held without charge from 28 days to 42. His own MPs think the plan’s “barmy”. Up to 50 are expected to rebel, raising the real prospect of a humiliating defeat.

SEPTEMBER Party conference

Crunch time for the party leadership. Cabinet critics are giving the prime minister the benefi t of the doubt for now. If he fl ops under the media spotlight, he can’t bank on all those Mr Nice Guy acts.

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