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Blair exit timetable to be agreed Blair exit timetable to be agreed
(about 1 hour later)
Labour's ruling National Executive Committee is expected to agree a timetable next week for the leadership election to replace Tony Blair. A timetable for elections to replace Tony Blair is expected to be agreed next week by Labour's National Executive Committee.
The BBC understands Labour officials have settled on a seven-week campaign for both the leader and deputy leader to run simultaneously. Mr Blair is expected to announce his retirement as prime minister after the Scottish and Welsh elections on 4 May.
It would be followed by the "coronation" of the new leader and deputy leader at a special conference. There will then be a seven-week contest for the position of Labour leader and deputy leader, the BBC understands.
It is not yet known when Mr Blair will announce his departure. Gordon Brown may still be required to attend hustings and face a vote even if he is the only leadership candidate.
But if, as widely predicted, it is on the day after the Scottish and Welsh elections, which take place on 4 May, the country could have a new prime minister by 22 June. So far two candidates from the left of the party, Michael Meacher and John McDonnell, have declared their intention to challenge Mr Brown for the top job.
Chancellor Gordon Brown is the overwhelming favourite to replace Mr Blair as prime minister. As and when there is a leadership election for the Labour Party, I will set out what I intend to do Gordon Brown
So far two contenders from the left of the party, John McDonnell and Michael Meacher, have said they intend to challenge him. But it is not certain that they will be able to gain the 44 signatures of other Labour MPs needed to get on to the ballot.
Nomination Mr Brown, who has been criticised by some for not spelling out his plans for when he becomes leader, told the Financial Times on Friday: "As and when there is a leadership election for the Labour Party, I will set out what I intend to do."
The first week of the seven-week campaign, would cover the nomination period, when all candidates would be required to show they had support of at least 44 MPs. But, as he prepares to deliver his 11th budget next week, he reiterated his promise to take no risks with the economy.
He said last month's below-inflation public sector pay settlement showed he would not be held to ransom by the trade unions.
Hustings
"It would have been far more expedient for me to take a different position on public sector pay," he told the newspaper.
"But I will not allow wage inflation to affect the path of general inflation."
If Mr Blair were to resign on the day after the Scottish and Welsh elections, Britain could have a new prime minister by Friday, 22 June.
The first week of the seven-week leadership campaign would cover the nomination period, when all candidates would be required to show they had support of at least 44 other MPs.
That would be followed by six weeks of campaigning, with voting among MPs, party members and unions taking place over the final three weeks.That would be followed by six weeks of campaigning, with voting among MPs, party members and unions taking place over the final three weeks.
BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that - if no-one gains enough support to run against Gordon Brown for the leadership - there is a strong possibility he will still be required to attend hustings around the country along with the deputy leadership candidates. The party wants to hold five hustings around the country, to give party members a chance to question the contenders, the BBC understands.
There are now six declared runners to replace John Prescott in the deputy's job when he stands down with Mr Blair this year. BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that - if no-one gains enough support to run against Mr Brown for the leadership - there is a strong possibility he will still be required to attend these hustings along with the deputy leadership candidates.
Labour chairman Hazel Blears, ministers Peter Hain and Harriet Harman are in the race. Six MPs have confirmed they will run for the deputy leader's job, to replace John Prescott who has said he will stand down with Mr Blair.
The other contenders for the deputy role are Cabinet ministers Hilary Benn and Alan Johnson and backbencher Jon Cruddas. There contenders include five cabinet ministers - Peter Hain, Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Hazel Blears, Alan Johnson - and one backbencher, Jon Cruddas.