Now Sir Elton John and friends abandon PM as Labour gala fails to sell out

Fun times: But Elton John won't be partying with Labour
12 April 2012

Labour has failed to sell out a gala fundraising dinner with Gordon Brown tonight, casting more questions over the Prime Minister's future.

The major event was meant to attract 300 VIP guests paying £500 a head and the party hoped that rock legend Elton John would attend.

However, Sir Elton was unable to accept and a party source revealed to the Standard: "They cannot get rid of all the tickets and are having to give some away and offer cut-price deals on others.

"The whole thing is looking like a disaster but the party is contracted with the venue to go ahead." The Tories' Black and White ball was a huge success, by contrast, raising £485,000 for David Cameron.

Any sign that Labour can no longer count on wealthy supporters and big companies to fill its coffers will increase the pressure on Mr Brown.

A spokesman for Sir Elton said he had been unable to fit the event into his diary. "His diary is booked up 18 months ahead," he said.

It comes at a time that MPs are talking increasingly seriously about ousting Mr Brown in the autumn and fighting a May 2010 election under a new leader.

One senior MP said: "People are determined to do it. I do not believe Gordon Brown will lead us at the next election."

The Prime Minister will tomorrow attempt to rally his Cabinet with a plan to fight for an historic fourth term.

With Lord Mandelson, he will brief ministers at a special three-hour session on the Building Britain's Future document, setting out plans to overcome the slump and for economic recovery.

Gordon Brown was today accused of packing the Lords with his cronies.

The Prime Minister, who has unveiled a package of constitutional reforms, has given peerages to 10 individuals so they can become ministers.

Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said: "How can the public take his calls for reform seriously when he is currently filling the Lords with appointees and his Government with unelected ministers?"

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