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Labour to debate leader elections Brown 'may not face leader vote'
(about 16 hours later)
A timetable for elections to replace Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to be agreed later by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee. Gordon Brown will not face a vote if he is the only candidate to succeed Tony Blair as Labour leader, the party's National Executive Committee has said.
The NEC will not decide the date of his departure but may agree a seven-week election process to replace him. But the chancellor will still have to attend hustings during a deputy election campaign due to last at least seven weeks, the NEC confirmed.
Mr Blair has said he will go by September, and is expected to announce his retirement following the Scottish and Welsh elections on 3 May. He is the favourite to succeed Mr Blair who has said he will go by September.
It could mean Britain has a new prime minister as early as 22 June. Only two other candidates, left-wingers Michael Meacher and John McDonnell, have said they will run against him.
The NEC will meet later to decide the shape of the elections to replace Mr Blair. But they must first get the signatures of 44 other Labour MPs, to be able to get on to the ballot.
The BBC understands that Gordon Brown, the favourite to succeed him, may still have to attend hustings - of which five are to be held across the country - and face a vote, even if he is the only leadership candidate. 'Affirmative ballot'
So far two candidates from the left of the party, Michael Meacher and John McDonnell, have declared their intention to run against him - but must first get the signatures of 44 other Labour MPs, to get on to the ballot. The decision spares Mr Brown having to go through an "affirmative ballot" if he is the only candidate.
Mr Blair is expected to announce his retirement within days of the Scottish and Welsh elections on 3 May. It could mean Britain has a new prime minister as early as 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 the support required, the BBC understands.The first week of the seven-week leadership campaign would cover the nomination period, when all candidates would be required to show they had the support required, the BBC understands.
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.
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.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 contenders include five cabinet ministers - Peter Hain, Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Hazel Blears, Alan Johnson - and one backbencher, Jon Cruddas.The contenders include five cabinet ministers - Peter Hain, Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Hazel Blears, Alan Johnson - and one backbencher, Jon Cruddas.