Cabinet ministers staged a comprehensive show of unity behind Gordon Brown yesterday as they came together for the first time since Labour’s summer of turmoil.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, whose intervention five weeks ago stoked speculation of a Cabinet coup against Mr Brown, led the way, saying that the Prime Minister would “prove people wrong” as ministers gathered in Birmingham for the first Cabinet meeting outside London for decades.

The venue was chosen to show ministers meeting the people and to launch a new strategy for manufacturing, bringing together £150 million of support for companies.

Despite the persistent doubts among ministers and MPs about whether Mr Brown can turn Labour’s fortunes around, it was not an occasion for anyone to show any form of dissent.

Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, who has been cast in the role of the undertaker who might be sent to tell Mr Brown that it is time to go, emerged from the meeting to declare that his leader was still the best man for the job.

He said that the Prime Minister was “exactly the same person today as he was 15 months ago when he was elected with a huge majority . . . because virtually everybody in the party wanted him to do that job”.

Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, who many believe would be the beneficiary of any move against Mr Brown, was equally supportive, although he went close to admitting that the display of harmony had been choreographed. “When you see the problems that we are facing, that the country and the world are facing, the plan of action taken in America yesterday, the discussion we had with people in Birmingham was about how do you get through these difficult times,” he said.

“And you need someone leading who has good experience, who has intelligence and an absolute remorseless focus on these issues and a sense of public service, public duty.

“It’s always important to show unity in government. This is, if you like, the start of a new season after the summer recess and so I think it’s the perfect way to kick it off.”

Mr Miliband’s words were closely studied. He praised the Prime Minister for displaying “more vigour and determination”.

The Foreign Secretary said: “I am absolutely convinced that Gordon can lead us to victory. He has enormous values, drive and vision and I think we are going to prove people wrong.”

It was noted that Mr Miliband had said that Mr Brown “could” lead the party to victory, rather than “would” lead it to victory, but officials said that his words were intended to back Mr Brown.

Each member of the Cabinet also carried out visits in the West Midlands, themed around issues including community policing, manufacturing, health, jobs and skills.

Ed Miliband, the Cabinet Office Minister, denied that the meeting in Birmingham amounted to a cheap gimmick.

He said: “If you say to me, ‘Is this going to win us any votes?’, I don’t particularly think that it will. I just think that it is the right thing to do. It is important for government not simply to spend all its time in London.”

He added that other cities should have the chance to be “celebrated” by a visit from the Cabinet.

Asked about whether Mr Brown still retained his authority, Mr Miliband replied: “He is a very determined person and he has been through personal adversity but he has also faced political adversity . . . and he will come through them, squaring up to hard truths, being open with the British people about the choices we face, and making tough decisions.”

The Prime Minister, who had a 30-minute discussion with representatives of business, the public sector, charities and the media, insisted that Britain could be a “great success story” of the 21st century.

“The world economy, whatever happens to Britain, will grow massively in size over the next few years, because China, India and Asia are all coming up,” he said.

“The question is who is going to get the benefit from that growth, and it’s a huge time of opportunity for us. It’s the countries that have the inventive talent, the creative skills, the ingenuity, the design ability – they are going to get the lion’s share of the benefits of this new economy and it’s a great opportunity for a country like Britain.”

Mr Brown said: “As long as we make the right investments in the skills of our people, particularly our young people, then there is nothing we cannot do to be one of the great success stories of the next century.

“I believe that the Midlands will be right at the heart of it, as you have always been at the heart of economic success.”

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