OXFORDSHIRE’S sole Labour MP has rallied to the defence of Gordon Brown and insisted the embattled Prime Minister is the “best qualified” person to lead the country through recession.

Andrew Smith, who represents Oxford East, has full confidence in the PM, who yesterday appeared to have survived the latest attempted coup by fellow MPs.

Several senior Labour MPs have expressed dissatisfaction with Mr Brown’s leadership and his position remains fragile following a wave of ministerial resignations and the party’s worst election results since 1918.

But Labour rebels have so far failed to produce the required number of signatures to trigger a leadership contest and no credible alternative candidate has emerged.

Mr Smith called for an end to “speculation about the leadership” and said the party could still win a General Election under Mr Brown.

He said: “The truth is that by intellect, commitment and experience, Gordon Brown is far and away the best qualified person to lead us through this very difficult recession – just as he has successfully set the agenda of action being taken worldwide to get the global economy growing again in a sustainable way.

“The message I have been getting from rank and file Labour supporters is a very clear one.

“Let’s see unity at the top in tackling the economic challenges, cleaning up the expenses mess affecting all parties, and setting out our vision for the future.”

Mr Smith insisted that far from “raising questions” about Mr Brown’s suitability for the job, voters he had met while campaigning in Oxford had been “critical of those ministers flaking off and resigning”.

The MP said: “Labour has a very positive message on the key things affecting people’s lives – jobs, healthcare, the need for more housing for local people, raising standards for all in schools and taking action to tackle climate change.

“We need to get away from speculation about the leadership, concentrate on governing the country well and putting our case to the people about why they are better off with Labour and why the Tories would be very bad news for public services and Oxford’s local needs.

“I believe local people see this, which is why once again there were no Tory councillors elected in Oxford at all.”

“Labour values of fairness, opportunity for all and social responsibility, with quality public services and dedication to combating poverty and climate change, have a broad appeal in Oxford as elsewhere and are the foundation on which we can win the General Election.”

Mr Smith was a member of Tony Blair’s Government from 1997 to 2004, serving as Minister for Employment, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.