Defying calls for him to quit, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed on Tuesday to stick to his beliefs and said it was no time for a novice to be in charge.

But with his ruling Labour Party down some 20 points in opinion polls and the economy on the brink of its first recession since 1992, many are wondering whether Brown can stay on as leader until the next election, due in mid-2010. There was a mini-mutiny in his Labour Party last week with 12 lawmakers calling for a leadership contest. It petered out after four members of the government either quit or were sacked.

Cabinet ministers put on a show of unity at the party's annual conference and Mr Brown's speech was very warmly received, but questions over his leadership remain.

Is Mr Brown safe?

The general feeling is that there is no stomach for a leadership challenge to Mr Brown when world financial markets are in turmoil. It would lead to accusations of navel-gazing and Mr Brown's experience as finance minister for a decade also make him perhaps better suited to dealing with the economy. Labour would also come under huge pressure to call a national election which they would probably lose at this point.

So a leadership bid could still yet arise?

So far no credible challenger has revealed their hand and last week's mini-rebellion faded out with no backing from anyone in the Cabinet. Labour still faces the prospect of an embarrassing defeat this year in an election for a parliamentary seat in Scotland which could aggravate calls for Mr Brown to go.

More likely, calls for a contest could gain traction after elections to the European Parliament next June, if Labour's poll standing has not improved.

Who's in the running?

The most talked about possible challenger is the young foreign minister David Miliband who penned a newspaper article in the summer that was widely interpreted as him positioning himself for the leadership.

Other people talked about are the justice minister Jack Straw, health minister Alan Johnson and works and pensions minister James Purnell. All have recently ruled out challenging Mr Brown.

Can Mr Brown turn it around?

One opinion poll taken last week as the government brokered a rescue deal of the country's largest mortgage lender, showed the opposition Conservatives' lead over Labour narrowing to 12 points from 21.

Polls over the next few weeks will be crucial to see if that was just a rogue result or the start of a new trend as the public warms to Mr Brown's handling of the financial crisis.