Labour’s parliamentary candidate for St Albans believes her party should concentrate on sorting out the country’s problems rather than debating the possibility of an internal election.

Speculation in the national media is suggesting deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman is positioning herself to succeed Gordon Brown if the Conservative party wins the next election.

Fellow ministers have claimed through the press that Harman is purposely distancing herself from Brown and trying to gather support from party members.

Roma Mills, also leader of the Labour group at St Albans District Council, said she has not been privy to any discussions on the possibility of a leadership challenge and hoped Mr Brown would still be in charge into the next election.

“Harriet did very well in the deputy leadership election,” councillor Mills said.

But added: “I am not sure that at a time of economic uncertainty that leading members of the party should be involved in an internal election. They should be concentrating on the country.

“This current Government’s time is coming to an end in a years time any way. We have got to manage a credit crisis, job losses and uncertainty in the housing market so I’m not sure if this is the time.

“If the Labour Party had an internal election then the country would see it as a diversion.

“We had a leadership election and there was no other runner so Gordon Brown is our leader and I hope he will be the one to lead us into the next election.”