DARWEN and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson has welcomed a rebellion on Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s leadership of the Labour Party.

Mrs Anderson would not confirm how she would vote in the secret ballot proposed today by two excabinet ministers, but admitted there was ‘a lot of concern’ about the Prime Minister.

And the former broadcasting minister told the Lancashire Telegraph women voters in particular had failed to warm to Mr Brown.

She was speaking after it was revealed Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon had contacted Labour MPs urging a ballot on the Prime Minster’s leadership ahead of the General Election, which is expected to take place in May.

Mrs Anderson said: “I very much welcome this proposal, and I think we should have a ballot as soon as possible to clear up the question-marks over Gordon’s leadership.

“There is no doubt that many of my constituents in Rossendale and Darwen are unhappy with it, especially women. We need to clear it up once and for all.

“There are concerns both among Labour MPs and party members and we need to get it cleared up.”

On the vote, Mrs Anderson said: “It is going to be a secret ballot and should stay a secret ballot.”

Asked to elaborate on her view that there was a ‘large gender gap’ with Mr Brown in charge, she added: “Women in particular do not warm to the Prime Minister, for whatever reason.”

Rossendale and Darwen is one of the Tories’ key target seats at the General Election, and a 4.25per cent swing would see the Conserv-tives take control.

Mrs Anderson added: “It is a key marginal, and we take nothing for granted.

"But we do have a history in Rossendale and Darwen of bucking the trend.

“In 1992 we won against the odds.”