'Rocky' PM bad bet to go distance.

Byline: SAM LISTER

THE comparisons between Gordon Brown and silver screen character Rocky Balboa are not immediately obvious.

But yesterday, the embattled Prime Minister, like the fictional boxer, defied the odds to survive a flurry of blows in round after bloody round.

It is difficult to imagine, however, him going the distance and coming out as the unlikely hero.

While no killer punch has yet been dealt, the repeated jabs have left him severely weakened and it will take some extraordinary moves to fend off further attacks.

His strength is now so depleted that yesterday's reshuffle was actually nothing of the sort. It was little more than minor tweaking while he plugged the gaps.

Five voting members of the cabinet in as many days fell on their swords but none quite important enough to be the "Geoffrey Howe" that could bring him down.

Hazel Blears and Jacqui Smith were tarred by expenses shame and had axes to grind. John Hutton was a long-time foe of his boss.

James Purnell, a die-hard arch-Blairite, was the only one to tell the Prime Minister it was time to quit, but no one else followed his lead.

To ensure the real powerhouses did not inflict a knockout punch he did his best to keep everyone happy. Darling stayed as Chancellor after letting it be known he would resign rather than move. David Miliband kept his post as Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw remained at the Ministry of Justice.

Bowing to their demands, though, revealed how little power he retains.

But the big test will come next week. On Monday evening the Parliamentary Labour Party will meet to reflect on miserable election losses.

Nothing is certain in politics but it is clear the Prime Minister will not go easily and, when it comes to coups Labour is traditionally inept.

CAPTION(S):

Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa