REID: THE GLOVES COME OFF

The Home Secretary shattered the truce over the Labour leadership with plans for a fresh assault on terrorism and crime in this week's Queen's Speech.

The aim is to show that he, rather than Chancellor Gordon Brown, is the best man to lead a nation under threat. The move came as the country's top policeman cranked up the already tense atmosphere over security policy.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair demanded more time to hold terrorist suspects without charge after warning that the force had "almost run out of time" this summer when interrogating members of the alleged plot to blow up airliners.

Sir Ian's intervention delighted the Home Office, where Mr Reid sees his tough stance on terrorism as his chance to make his mark with the public and the Labour Party.

Senior aides said Mr Reid had won the argument over Labour policy, with hardline counter-terrorism, anti-immigration and crime crackdowns at the heart of the Queen's Speech.

The emphasis on home affairs means that Mr Reid will be at the forefront of political debate in the run-up to the Labour leadership contest next year.

Aides said this would give the public – and members of the Labour Party – ample opportunity to judge whether Mr Reid has Prime Ministerial potential as he goes head to head with David Cameron on security.

A close colleague of the Home Secretary said: "John has so many Bills included that he has undoubtedly ‘won' the Queen's Speech. He feels that the Tories are making a big mistake talking about immigration without supporting ID cards."

Reports in recent weeks suggested that Mr Reid had told the Chancellor he would stand aside in the race for the leadership.

With Education Secretary Alan Johnson ruling himself out, Mr Brown appeared to be virtually guaranteed a smooth coronation.

But the uneasy truce at the top of the Labour Party has now been shattered.

Mr Reid has been encouraged by opinion polls which show that Mr Brown is still viewed with deep suspicion by large sections of the public.

A study by top US pollster Frank Luntz found that the straight-talking Home Secretary would make a more popular choice as Prime Minister than the brooding Chancellor.

The Home Secretary enjoyed the favourable press he received for his leadership during the alleged airline bomb plot when Tony Blair was on holiday.

His speech to the Labour conference, in which he stressed his role in the war on crime and terror, was seen as a leadership bid by many.

Mr Reid knows he can count on the support of some disaffected Cabinet colleagues, possibly including the Prime Minister, who are determined that the Chancellor should not inherit the crown he has craved for so long.

A senior aide to Mr Reid last night made no secret of his continuing ambition, saying: "Alan Johnson has made an announcement. John Reid has not."

In comments that will enrage the Chancellor, another aide said: "Gordon Brown has followed what John Reid has said on security, and that is to be welcomed."

The aide added: "Putting this issue at the heart of the Queen's Speech means that, in the coming weeks and months, people will be looking at what David Cameron has to say and what John Reid has to say.

"Who knows what impact that may have on people within the Labour Party and what they think about the future?"

In what will be Mr Blair's last legislative programme, "security and opportunity" will be the main themes of the Queen's Speech.

Labour sees the package as an opportunity to paint the Tories as being weak on crime and terror.