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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Labour leadership contest to open | Labour leadership contest to open |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Nominations for the Labour leadership contest are set to open, with Gordon Brown facing a potential challenge from one of two opponents. | Nominations for the Labour leadership contest are set to open, with Gordon Brown facing a potential challenge from one of two opponents. |
| The chancellor took part in his first head-to-head debate with two possible left-wing contenders on Sunday. | The chancellor took part in his first head-to-head debate with two possible left-wing contenders on Sunday. |
| Michael Meacher and John McDonnell will meet on Monday to decide which of them will try to challenge Mr Brown. | Michael Meacher and John McDonnell will meet on Monday to decide which of them will try to challenge Mr Brown. |
| Mr Brown said he "welcomed the contest", but insisted Labour could not return to failed policies of the past. | Mr Brown said he "welcomed the contest", but insisted Labour could not return to failed policies of the past. |
| Nominations for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests will open at 1430 BST on Monday, and will close at 1230 BST on Thursday. | Nominations for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests will open at 1430 BST on Monday, and will close at 1230 BST on Thursday. |
| There will be 10 hustings events before the results are announced at a special one-day leadership conference in Manchester on Sunday 24 June - three days before Tony Blair will formally step down as prime minister. | There will be 10 hustings events before the results are announced at a special one-day leadership conference in Manchester on Sunday 24 June - three days before Tony Blair will formally step down as prime minister. |
| I think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice Michael Meacher,Leadership challenger Labour contest timetable Race for deputy hots up | I think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice Michael Meacher,Leadership challenger Labour contest timetable Race for deputy hots up |
| Speaking at the debate staged by the Fabian Society on Sunday, Mr Brown promised "prudent" government. | Speaking at the debate staged by the Fabian Society on Sunday, Mr Brown promised "prudent" government. |
| "My aim has always been that every single individual in this country should have the chance to realise their potential," he said. | "My aim has always been that every single individual in this country should have the chance to realise their potential," he said. |
| "Progress for this country is not going to be down to the policies that failed in the past." | "Progress for this country is not going to be down to the policies that failed in the past." |
| Mr Brown also suggested a government under his leadership could include more women. | Mr Brown also suggested a government under his leadership could include more women. |
| "I want more women in Parliament, more women in the government, more women in the Cabinet," he said. | "I want more women in Parliament, more women in the government, more women in the Cabinet," he said. |
| 'Public support' | 'Public support' |
| Mr McDonnell insisted he could be a strong challenger in the leadership contest. | Mr McDonnell insisted he could be a strong challenger in the leadership contest. |
| He said the public wanted "someone for example who voted against the war in Iraq. All the other parties voted for it, and I voted against. | He said the public wanted "someone for example who voted against the war in Iraq. All the other parties voted for it, and I voted against. |
| This campaign is about giving people a voice again John McDonnell,Leadership challenger Contender-by-contender | This campaign is about giving people a voice again John McDonnell,Leadership challenger Contender-by-contender |
| "I'm opposed to the privatisation of our public services. So issue by issue not only do I have support on the policy issues within the Labour Party, I also have support in the general public." | "I'm opposed to the privatisation of our public services. So issue by issue not only do I have support on the policy issues within the Labour Party, I also have support in the general public." |
| He said the campaign was "about giving people a voice again" and told the BBC that if one of them gets on the ballot paper people will be "shocked" by the support they get. | He said the campaign was "about giving people a voice again" and told the BBC that if one of them gets on the ballot paper people will be "shocked" by the support they get. |
| Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher will meet on Monday to see if they have enough support from MPs between them for one of them to go forward to challenge Mr Brown. | Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher will meet on Monday to see if they have enough support from MPs between them for one of them to go forward to challenge Mr Brown. |
| The eventual candidate will need to get the backing of 45 Labour MPs to enter the contest. | The eventual candidate will need to get the backing of 45 Labour MPs to enter the contest. |
| (l-r) Michael Meacher and John McDonnell debate with Mr Brown | (l-r) Michael Meacher and John McDonnell debate with Mr Brown |
| Mr Meacher was keen to stress the importance of having a debate within the Labour Party. | Mr Meacher was keen to stress the importance of having a debate within the Labour Party. |
| "The Labour Party, throughout the 100 years of its history, has elected its leader every single time, except in 1931, which was very exceptional circumstances," he said. | |
| "And I think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice and that it is key that people choose and do not have a leaders imposed on them." | "And I think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice and that it is key that people choose and do not have a leaders imposed on them." |
| He added there was a "tremendous desire" to have the party as "a vibrant effective force which the leadership takes account of". | He added there was a "tremendous desire" to have the party as "a vibrant effective force which the leadership takes account of". |
| The timetable for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests was agreed at a meeting of Labour's ruling national executive committee on Sunday. | The timetable for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests was agreed at a meeting of Labour's ruling national executive committee on Sunday. |
| There are six potential candidates for deputy leader. | There are six potential candidates for deputy leader. |
| Harriet Harman, Peter Hain and Hazel Blears have published lists of at least 45 backers. Alan Johnson is thought to have more than the required backers. | Harriet Harman, Peter Hain and Hazel Blears have published lists of at least 45 backers. Alan Johnson is thought to have more than the required backers. |
| Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of getting to 45. | Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of getting to 45. |