British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged his governing Labour Party to show some "discipline" after a punishing by-election defeat caused alarm in the ranks, in an interview published Sunday.

Brown said there was plenty of work ahead of the party conference season in September and October — when some commentators believe the issue of Brown's leadership will re-emerge.

"We've got to show that we are a disciplined party getting on with the work of government," he told the Sunday Mirror newspaper.

"I think people are very clear that we've got a task ahead. We've got work to do to prepare for the autumn."

Brown stressed that over the summer break he would remain focused on tackling swine flu and recession.

"My attention is focused on what I can do for the country. I will not be diverted," he said.

The centre-left Labour Party lost its hold on the Norwich North constituency in eastern England in Thursday's by-election, triggered by the recent scandal over lawmakers' lavish expenses claims.

Labour was hammered into second place by the centre-right, main opposition Conservative Party, which overturned Labour's majority of 5549 at the last election in 2005 to take the seat by more than 7000 votes on Friday.

Spurned by his party, the sitting lawmaker Ian Gibson quit last month after revelations that he claimed nearly 80 000 pounds (93 000 euros, 132 000 dollars) in second home expenses on a London flat which he later sold cheaply to his daughter.

Following the defeat, malcontents hit out at Brown, who must call a general election within 11 months.

AFP

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