Will others follow Straw's example?

By Robin Chrystal
BBC News

Jack Straw has consistently given his public support to the prime minister

On the face of it, Justice Secretary Jack Straw could not have been more straightforward.

He is not going to challenge Gordon Brown for the leadership of the Labour Party - and neither is anyone else.

And if there was any doubt about it, he added on the Andrew Marr Show: "Do you want me to use any other language? I've just said yes, there won't be a leadership challenge, from me or from anybody else and I'm clear about that."

So that's that then? Maybe.

Jack Straw can of course speak for himself, and he has already dismissed reports that he would challenge for the leadership - whilst Gordon Brown is still in place.

But speaking for all other possible contenders is perhaps a little presumptuous.

One much-vaunted challenger, Foreign Secretary David Miliband, pointedly and repeatedly refers to "the prime minister and I" in a newspaper interview in advance of Monday's EU summit on Russia.

While there is as yet no contest and no challengers, the foreign secretary has again waved a flag to make sure he's not forgotten.

Straw denies leadership challenge

'Fine detail'

Ordinary voters are much more likely to focus on just how the prime minister plans to respond to the economic downturn.

On Tuesday, the first of his plans is expected to be unveiled - help for homebuyers.

Downing Street sources say there are still last minute discussions going on about the "fine detail" of the announcements.

But it is expected that they will involve councils and housing associations buying up repossessed and unsold properties.

Later in the week an announcement of extra help with fuel bills for those on low incomes is due, plus improved insulation grants.

But both sets of measures will have to be far reaching if they are to have a concerted impact on what the chancellor tells us could be the worst downturn for 60 years.

That's the prime minister's big dilemma. For a stimulus package to have real impact it will have to be costly.

The Treasury is not so keen, preferring Mr Brown's old watchword when he was chancellor of "prudence".