Who could have believed that that the humble British 10p could lie at the heart of the biggest debate to hit the headlines in recent Months. The fact is just that, the 10p tax row is very real and very much at the centre of the publics concern.

When the story first hit the headlines following an effective back bench rebellion by the labour party the Prime Minister Gordon Brown effectively dismissed the arguments and failed to estimate the level of ill feeling that the 10p tax row had created.

The row has now exploded into the biggest headline in recent Months, to the point where Gordon Brown and the equally dismissive Chancellor Alistair Darling have now had to accept the level of frustration is nothing that can simply brushed to the side.

The 10p Tax row could actually be one, if not the biggest tests of Browns leadership abilities, particularly as it was he who introduced the same when he was the Chancellor. The argument on this serious economic now stretches beyond Westminster to nation wanting action and response.

Many believe that despite his dismissive statement that nothing can be done until the next Autumn budget, Darling may be forced to kneel to the nation wide revolt on the 10p tax row and come up with an alternative strategy. Either way this very much leaves Brown in a catch 22 position.