New ministers back UK's Brown but fate uncertain

By Avril Ormsby

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, battling to avert the collapse of his government, said on Saturday he would stick to his policies, as his Labour Party faced a European election drubbing.

A day after reshuffling his cabinet to try to secure the loyalty of ministers after several walked out of his government, Brown said he would focus on tackling the recession, cleaning up politics after a parliamentary expenses scandal and reform of public services.

"I think it is important to recognize that in these unprecedented times you are bound to have up and downs in politics," he told reporters after attending a cathedral service in France to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

"You are bound to have difficulties because the public are waiting to see the results, but you have got to stick with the policies and make sure that they come through."

Brown was later booed by some sections of the crowd unhappy, media reports said, that Queen Elizabeth had not been invited to the commemorations.

British voters, angry over banking and economic crises and the lavish expense claims by members of parliament, turned their backs on Labour in local elections on Thursday. The party lost control of all the English county councils it was defending.

The government faces a further drubbing when European election results are released on Sunday.

Media reports said Brown could face further rebellion among his Labour Party lawmakers who may be tempted to sign a letter circulating in parliament calling on him to resign.