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Prescott ready for Labour finale Prescott ready for Labour finale
(about 7 hours later)
John Prescott is set to wrap up Labour's conference as the contest to replace him as the party's deputy leader gathers pace. John Prescott is set to bring the curtain down on Labour's conference as the contest to replace him and Tony Blair at the party's helm gathers pace.
Attention will be on whether Mr Prescott will confirm that he will quit his post when Tony Blair leaves No 10. Mr Prescott, who on Wednesday threw his weight behind Gordon Brown to be the next PM, is expected to quit his post when Mr Blair quits Downing Street.
Three hopefuls say they will stand for the job and others are set to follow. The speech comes after police rejected corruption claims against Mr Prescott. Three people have so far said they will stand for Mr Precott's job, and a number of others are set to follow.
The conference's last day will also hear from Home Secretary John Reid.The conference's last day will also hear from Home Secretary John Reid.
Mr Reid is likely to stress the need for continued vigilance and security measures in the face of terrorism. Mr Reid, seen as one of the very few possible serious rivals to Chancellor Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership, is likely to stress the need for continued vigilance and security measures in the face of terrorism.
He will also talk about his work to improve immigration controls in his department, which he called dysfunctional when he took up the job.He will also talk about his work to improve immigration controls in his department, which he called dysfunctional when he took up the job.
Mr Reid is seen as a possible leadership contender but there are no signs he will use the speech to throw his hat into the ring. His speech will be closely watched for any clues as to whether he has aspirations for the leadership.
Crowded fieldCrowded field
After the emotional response given to Tony Blair's last conference speech as prime minister, it is now Mr Prescott's turn to deliver what is likely to be his final turn as deputy leader. After the emotional response given to Tony Blair's last conference speech as prime minister, Mr Prescott is expected to confirm that Thursday's speech will be his final one as deputy leader.
Backbencher Jon Cruddas and ministers Harriet Harman and Peter Hain have already said they want to succeed Mr Prescott.
And Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Commons Leader Jack Straw are among other potential candidates for the deputy leadership.
Mr Prescott has traditionally used his end-of-conference address to deliver a rallying cry to Labour activists - and to poke fun at the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.Mr Prescott has traditionally used his end-of-conference address to deliver a rallying cry to Labour activists - and to poke fun at the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
But it comes after a year when he has faced accusations that he has become a laughing stock. And Mr Blair paid tribute to what he called his vital role over the past 12 years in taking the New Labour message to the Labour Party.
But his speech, due at about noon, comes after a year when he has faced a number of controversies.
Cowboy outfitCowboy outfit
He admitted to an affair with his diary secretary, lost his department in the reshuffle and, gave up his official residence of Dorneywood. He admitted to an affair with his diary secretary, lost his department in the reshuffle and then gave up his official residence of Dorneywood.
And he was hit by controversy over his stay on the ranch of US tycoon Philip Anschluss, the man who wants to get a casino licence for the Millennium Dome and gave Mr Prescott a cowboy outfit.And he was hit by controversy over his stay on the ranch of US tycoon Philip Anschluss, the man who wants to get a casino licence for the Millennium Dome and gave Mr Prescott a cowboy outfit.
Mr Prescott has repeatedly denied any conflict of interest and police on Wednesday rejected claims that he had broken anti-corruption laws.Mr Prescott has repeatedly denied any conflict of interest and police on Wednesday rejected claims that he had broken anti-corruption laws.
Backbencher Jon Cruddas and ministers Harriet Harman and Peter Hain have already said they want to succeed Mr Prescott.
And Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Commons Leader Jack Straw are among other potential candidates for the deputy leadership.
The speech comes after the Labour leadership suffered a double defeat at the conference in votes on NHS reforms and council housing.The speech comes after the Labour leadership suffered a double defeat at the conference in votes on NHS reforms and council housing.