ALLIES of Gordon Brown have made detailed plans for a government run by the chancellor which would follow a handover of power by Tony Blair at this autumn’s Labour party conference.

The plans would see the return to the cabinet of Robin Cook, Brown’s enemy for 30 years, as an acknowledgment over government failures in Iraq.

The chancellor has settled his differences with Cook, whose measured and constructive criticisms over the war have earned him respect among many Labour MPs and party members. In contrast, Brown’s allies say that Clare Short has been “too disloyal” to earn a recall.

According to the allies, Brown would make his close colleague Alistair Darling his chancellor and offer his long-standing friend Nick Brown his old job as chief whip.

They believe that Jack Straw, foreign secretary, would also be given a key position for his solid support in recent months, although both he and Cook will be vying to replace John Prescott as deputy leader.

The disclosure comes as an opinion poll today reveals growing dissatisfaction with Blair’s leadership. The YouGov poll for The Sunday Times puts Labour on 34%, three points behind the Tories. However, it shows that 62% of people think Blair has been damaged “hugely” by the war in Iraq and its aftermath.

By 46% to 42%, people think he should step down before the next election. Brown emerges as a clear favourite with voters for the leadership, with more support than other senior Labour politicians combined. A Labour party led by Brown would also boost Labour’s vote.

While the prime minister has dismissed speculation about an early departure as “froth”, the detailed nature of the Brown camp’s plans shows the extent to which preparations for a succession are under way.

Some loyal Blairites privately accept that the prime minister is vulnerable and may resign ahead of the next election. Yesterday Prescott signalled that the leadership race had almost begun when he acknowledged that the “plates” had shifted and that cabinet ministers were positioning themselves for a handover.

Although he subsequently tried to downplay the remarks, his public comments appeared to reflect private discussions between ministers at Thursday’s cabinet meeting.

John Reid, the health secretary and seen as a potential rival to when he acknowledged that the “plates” had shifted and that cabinet ministers were positioning themselves for a handover.

Although he subsequently tried to downplay the remarks, his public comments appeared to reflect private discussions between ministers at Thursday’s cabinet meeting.

John Reid, the health secretary, who is seen as a potential rival to Brown for the leadership, tore into the chancellor’s allies for seeking to destabilise Blair. One cabinet witness said: “John had a real go at Gordon’s supporters briefing against Tony. Gordon didn’t say anything. You could hear a pin drop.”

According to the allies, Brown would keep a number of the current cabinet big hitters, including David Blunkett, the home secretary, although he may divide the Home Office into two departments, one for homeland security and another for migration and nationality.

The chancellor’s allies have disclosed that they believe they have an “understanding” from Blair, made at a dinner hosted by Prescott in November, that the prime minister will step aside voluntarily this autumn.

Members of Brown’s camp accept there is a danger that other cabinet ministers, including Reid, Charles Clarke, and Peter Hain, may throw their hats into the ring. But they hope the threat of a potentially bloody leadership campaign so close to the election will put them off. Cherie Blair, contrary to reports, is said to be urging her husband not to resign.

On Friday Blair dismissed talk of him retiring, saying: “I think I should get on with the job.”

Meanwhile, Blair’s polling guru has predicted that Labour will ride out the current crisis to win a 100-seat majority at the next general election. Philip Gould made the forecast in a speech to a closed session of Labour peers last week.

His prediction, which he said was based on private polling conducted for No 10, was greeted with astonishment by some of the 70-strong group. The prediction is at odds with published polls suggesting that Blair may have become an electoral liability.

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