Labour MPs and ministers have been banging on for over 11 years now about their pride in taking "tough decisions" for Britain. But now there's a decision that they, and only they, can make about a really serious problem - the inadequacy of the current Prime Minister - they are bottling it. They need help.
In particular they - and we - need a deadline. On the economy and security we are beset by turmoil and hazard. In the national interest, we cannot allow the current failure of leadership to continue. If Labour politicians cannot steel themselves to name a date, other people must do it for them.
This is a job for all opposition parties, not just the Conservatives. David Cameron should try to enlist the support of all the other opposition party leaders this week, in advance of the Labour Conference. Together they should announce that, unless Labour has by then put a leadership challenge in motion, they will use the first opposition day after the recess to force this to a vote.
The key tactical questions are the vote and the timing. A vote of no confidence in the government would be the obvious. But even those Labour politicans who have made it clear that they have no confidence in Brown may still protest that they have confidence in the Labour Party. So perhaps make the vote about his leadership and that only. Do as the Liberal Democrats did to Hague, and put down a motion that the Prime Minister's pay should be cut by £1 to reflect his lack of performance. That should create space for Labour dissidents to vote against their leader, but not their party, if they need it. How, in conscience or credibility, can those who have broken cover now vote for him?
On timing, there's a fair argument that acting before the Labour conference will serve only to to unite Labour together. That might hold true if this was a Conservative-only initiative. But this is about Britain's national interest which is why it needs to be as cross-party as possible. Announcing now gives them fair warning as they meet together that they need to put the house in order.
The tone in which this is done is vital. In sorrow, focus on the national interest and trust in politicans. Labour went into the last election promising that Tony Blair would serve a full term. They have broken that promise, and his mandate-lacking successor now commands no confidence. This is not Labour's leadership crisis, it is Britain's leadership crisis.
And if other opposition leaders refuse to support this, what would that say about them? Are they for Brown or against him?
Calling a confidence vote should not be done lightly. But these extraordinary circumstances justify it, if it is done in the right way.