Gordon Brown's government was in disarray yesterday as Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, led a wave of resignations ahead of what is expected to be a dire performance by Labour in this week's local and European elections.
The British prime minister was urged to bring forward a cabinet reshuffle in an attempt to restore his authority, amid signs the governing party's morale – sapped by a scandal over MPs' abuse of expenses – is reaching a new low.
Ms Smith let it be known she would leave the government at the reshuffle, while Bev Hughes, children's minister, and Patricia Hewitt, former health secretary, said they would stand down as MPs at the next election. All cited family reasons.
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