Heads are rolling after the massive blunder that has seen the two computer discs carrying the private information of 25 million child benefit claimants in Britain going missing. And the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling is under pressure to do the honorable thing and follow suit. So far Darling has indicated he intends to tough it out, citing the poor argument that there is a separation of powers in Government.

"Revenue and Customs is established as an organization separate from mainstream government. Ministers are kept away from operational matters like collection of taxes and payment of benefits for very obvious reasons. I intend to deal with it, this is a difficult issue, and I intend to see it through," he told reporters who had gang-tackled him at the opening of a charity shop in his Edinburgh constituency.

As if the buck doesn't stop with him!

Not sure how long he can hold out. Let's not forget, he is also under pressure for his role in the Northern Rock debacle, having poured £25 billion ($US51.6 billion) of taxpayers' money into the flailing mortgage-lender. Back in September, Northern Rock fell foul of the global credit crunch and had to borrow emergency cash from the Bank of England. The mortgage lender's shares are in the toilet as it looks for a buyer.

The Brown Government has to ask itself which is going to be more damaging to its electoral chance: : his staying in office or his resignation? That question would have to be asked now with polls showing that confidence in the Brown government has collapsed and that the Tories are in their best position in 15 years.