LONDON, Sept 24: A member of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet said on Wednesday she was quitting, reviving talk of rebellion less than 24 hours after Brown looked to have secured a stay of execution.

Transport minister Ruth Kelly could leave as early as next week when Brown is expected to reshuffle his team in an effort to re-establish command against a background of economic crisis and poor poll ratings.

News of Kelly’s departure, to spend more time with her family, broke within hours of a speech by Brown to his Labour Party that looked to have bought him time.

The prime minister voiced support for Kelly, said there were “no political issues” behind her decision and dismissed suggestions there may be more high-level resignations aimed at forcing a leadership challenge.

“I talked to Ruth in May about this. We are very good friends because we worked together in the Treasury for many years,” Brown told Sky Television.

After 11 years in power, Labour is some 20 points behind in opinion polls and on course for a big defeat to the opposition Conservatives in the next election, due by mid-2010. Several lawmakers want Brown, 57, to make way for a new leader, but Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair have dominated Labour politics for so long there is no obvious successor.

Brown succeeded Blair 15 months ago without a general election. Political commentators said Brown’s performance at Labour’s conference had cheered party members, but would do little to convince British voters to back him.

“Given that his immediate need was to shore up his position within his party to avoid moves against him, then clearly he has bought himself some time, he has bought himself some authority,” said John Curtice, politics professor at Strathclyde University.

The Financial Times described Brown’s performance in an editorial as “neither compelling nor convincing”, but conceded that despite offering nothing “distinct or coherent” he had apparently persuaded his party to stick with him.—Reuters