Ministers go on charm offensive for Blair as rebel numbers grow

Cabinet ministers were deployed to bolster support for Tony Blair over Iraq yesterday while rebel MPs predicted that up to 160 backbenchers opposed to war could join a rebellion later this week.

Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, took to the airwaves with six senior cabinet colleagues to insist everything possible was being done to keep alive hopes of a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Robin Cook, the Leader of the Commons, is widely expected to resign if Britain goes to war without a second United Nations resolution and could leave as early as this week. Clare Short, the Secretary of State for International Development, appeared to have pulled back from her threat to quit last week. But there was renewed speculation yesterday that she could still make good her threat.

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, Peter Hain, the Welsh Secretary, Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, Margaret Beckett, the Environment Secretary, Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, and John Reid, the Labour Party chairman, all defended Tony Blair's handling of the crisis.

There was growing evidence of discontent among Labour MPs. Tony Lloyd, a former Foreign Office minister, predicted up to 40 MPs could join the 121 backbenchers who voted against the Government last month. MPs are expected to have an opportunity to debate and vote on Iraq this week.

A poll indicated the number of Labour backbenchers who oppose the Government's position has risen. A survey of all 264 backbench Labour MPs for the BBC1 programme The Politics Show found that, of the 129 who responded, 95 were against a war without a second resolution, including 16 MPs who did not vote against the Government over the issue last month. Mr Lloyd warned of resignations among ministers and ministerial aides. "More people will vote against the Government this time round than did three weeks ago," he said.

Another leading anti-war rebel, Chris Smith, a former culture secretary, warned of growing anxiety at the prospect of war without a second resolution. He told GMTV it was "crunch time" for MPs who were concerned about war.

Bill Morris, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said the "bond of trust" between Mr Blair, his party and the public had been broken.

In the frame: The potential resignations

Robin Cook, the Leader of the Commons, could leave the Cabinet as early as this week because of his anxieties about a war not backed by the UN. He has voiced concerns in Cabinet and made a cryptic reference to his future in the Commons.

Clare Short, the Secretary of State for International Development, threatened to quit over Iraq in a radio interview last week. She appeared to row back on Friday, but could still leave. Whichever course she chooses, her future in the Cabinet is in doubt.

Michael Meacher, the Environment minister, is often tipped to leave over Iraq, but some believe he wants to continue his environmental work. He is known to be uneasy about the prospects of war, but has staunchly defended the Government on television.

Lord Whitty, a junior Environment minister, is reported to be considering his position if war is not backed by the UN.

Andy Reed, former parliamentary aide to Margaret Beckett, the Secretary of State for the Environment, became the Government's first casualty last week when he resigned over Iraq. Other ministerial aides reported to be considering their position include Ann Campbell, PPS to Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Michael Foster, PPS to Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney General; Tony Wright, PPS to Ruth Kelly, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury; and Ken Purchase, PPS to Robin Cook.