http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6421599.ece

Hazel Blears dealt a potentially fatal blow to Gordon Brown's political authority today when she announced her departure from Cabinet on the eve of crucial local and European elections. It was the fourth ministerial resignation in 24 hours and the second at Cabinet level after the news yesterday that Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, is also to stand down. It also came as Mr Brown's critics in the Labour Party canvassed support for a round-robin letter calling on the Prime Minister to resign. Selected Labour MPs today received an e-mail asking whether they would sign a letter of no confidence in Mr Brown on Friday morning. Mr Brown's opponents believe that they could secure the support of 70 or 80 MPs for the move. Under Labour Party rules, it takes 70 MPs to trigger a leadership contest.