MIA - Purnell, Miliband and Johnson

With the creeping certainty that Gordon Brown will not survive the year, his main rivals for the leadership of the Labour Party have been notable by their absence. Messages from Geoff Hoon, Jacqui Smith and Andy Burnham have been ringing in the ears of any reporter willing to listen. But where is Alan Johnson's, James Purnell's and David Miliband's support for the ailing PM.

Unsurprisingly their voices are not to be heard, they are waiting in the wings, waiting for the opportunity to begin a contentious leadership battle. With the BBC reporting that the Gordon Brown 'must go letter' has received the support of 80 Labour MPs, it is now inevitable that there will be a leadership challenge.

Either that, or Gordon Brown has undertaken a Stalinist Purge to eliminate all his rivals. But I suppose that would be too decisive. His rivals would have a chance to pack, have a leaving do and exchange their money before fleeing the country.

Home Secretary latest odds...

The initial odds for the Home Secretary position are

Alan Johnson 3/1	David Miliband 12/1	Hilary Benn 20/1
Alistair Darling 7/2	Ed Miliband 12/1	Jack Straw 20/1
Shaun Woodward 11/2	John Hutton 14/1	Harriet Harman 20/1
John Denham 6/1	David Blunkett 14/1	John Reid 33/1
Ed Balls 7/1	John Cruddas 18/1	Andy Burnham 33/1
James Purnell 8/1

The best odds are probably David Miliband at 12/1 or James Purnell at 8/1. It would make a lot of sense for Gordon Brown to place his closest rivals for the leadership of the Labour Party in the one department where the Sword of Damocles hangs over all its residents and falls eventually.