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| Version 13 | Version 14 |
|---|---|
| Brown challenger seeks supporters | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Left-winger John McDonnell is seeking to gain the support of 45 Labour MPs in an effort to challenge Gordon Brown for the party's leadership. | |
| Earlier, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, a contender for deputy leader, said Mr McDonnell was "unlikely" to get enough nominations. | |
| But Mr McDonnell said he was confident of getting through to a UK-wide ballot. | |
| Labour will give its first figures on leadership and deputy leadership candidates' support at 1800 BST. | Labour will give its first figures on leadership and deputy leadership candidates' support at 1800 BST. |
| Uncertainty | Uncertainty |
| MPs' nominations close at lunchtime on Thursday, with Mr Brown understood to have the backing of more than 200. | MPs' nominations close at lunchtime on Thursday, with Mr Brown understood to have the backing of more than 200. |
| Mr McDonnell is the chancellor's only challenger after fellow left-winger Michael Meacher dropped out on Monday, in the hope they could pool their support. | Mr McDonnell is the chancellor's only challenger after fellow left-winger Michael Meacher dropped out on Monday, in the hope they could pool their support. |
| DEPUTY CONTEST SUPPORT Hilary Benn - UnknownHazel Blears - 48 MPsJon Cruddas - UnknownPeter Hain - 48 MPsHarriet Harman - 61 MPs Alan Johnson - 64 MPs (estimated) | |
| It is not certain whether enough of Mr Meacher's backers will cross into the McDonnell camp to allow him to run. | It is not certain whether enough of Mr Meacher's backers will cross into the McDonnell camp to allow him to run. |
| Mr McDonnell reportedly has the backing of 24 MPs and Mr Meacher 21. | Mr McDonnell reportedly has the backing of 24 MPs and Mr Meacher 21. |
| Mr McDonnell's spokesman told the BBC News website: "There were 45 MPs who pledged their support to John and Michael. In addition to that, there are many others who are publicly calling for a contest. | Mr McDonnell's spokesman told the BBC News website: "There were 45 MPs who pledged their support to John and Michael. In addition to that, there are many others who are publicly calling for a contest. |
| "We are confident we will get on the ballot paper." | "We are confident we will get on the ballot paper." |
| 'David and Goliath' | 'David and Goliath' |
| He said there would be much support among Labour's grassroots for Mr McDonnell's opposition to the Iraq war, privatisation and university tuition fees. | He said there would be much support among Labour's grassroots for Mr McDonnell's opposition to the Iraq war, privatisation and university tuition fees. |
| He added: "There's terrific enthusiasm for a genuine debate. If John gets on the ballot, Gordon Brown will face a serious challenge." | He added: "There's terrific enthusiasm for a genuine debate. If John gets on the ballot, Gordon Brown will face a serious challenge." |
| A great weight appears to have been lifted from Gordon Brown's shoulders Contender-by-contender Labour contest timetable | A great weight appears to have been lifted from Gordon Brown's shoulders Contender-by-contender Labour contest timetable |
| The spokesman also said: "Obviously Gordon is the frontrunner. It's a David and Goliath situation but this is a serious challenge not just for the leadership, but the party's direction." | The spokesman also said: "Obviously Gordon is the frontrunner. It's a David and Goliath situation but this is a serious challenge not just for the leadership, but the party's direction." |
| Mr Meacher reiterated his support for Mr McDonnell and urged his backers to switch their nominations to him. | |
| But Mr Johnson, who is one of six candidates for the deputy leadership, said: "I think the media will focus more on the deputy contest because it looks unlikely there will be a contest for the leadership." | But Mr Johnson, who is one of six candidates for the deputy leadership, said: "I think the media will focus more on the deputy contest because it looks unlikely there will be a contest for the leadership." |
| He added: "He [Mr McDonnell] obviously hasn't got to the magical 45 figure yet." | He added: "He [Mr McDonnell] obviously hasn't got to the magical 45 figure yet." |
| 'Force for unity' | 'Force for unity' |
| "If there is [a leadership contest], fine - if that changes. But that's the leadership wire from the course," he added. | "If there is [a leadership contest], fine - if that changes. But that's the leadership wire from the course," he added. |
| Later Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that while he welcomed a contest, he would not be "lending" any of his supporters to Mr McDonnell. | Later Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that while he welcomed a contest, he would not be "lending" any of his supporters to Mr McDonnell. |
| "That would be dishonest," he said. | "That would be dishonest," he said. |
| "I don't think you can ask people to trade their consciences. I welcome a challenge. I'm going out to get as many nominations as possible because I believe that is what someone who's putting their name forward for leadership should do." | "I don't think you can ask people to trade their consciences. I welcome a challenge. I'm going out to get as many nominations as possible because I believe that is what someone who's putting their name forward for leadership should do." |
| He added that he would not be supporting any particular candidate in the deputy leadership race: "I think it's up to the candidates themselves to prove to the rest of the party how they will do." | He added that he would not be supporting any particular candidate in the deputy leadership race: "I think it's up to the candidates themselves to prove to the rest of the party how they will do." |
| Rescue this Labour government from itself John McDonnell MP class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5345644.stm">John McDonnell profile class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6655435.stm">Could left damage Brown? class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6278&edition=2&ttl=20070510223503">Send us your comments | |
| There will now be 10 official 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 steps down as prime minister. | There will now be 10 official 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 steps down as prime minister. |
| Deputy leadership candidates also need the support of 45 MPs to progress. | Deputy leadership candidates also need the support of 45 MPs to progress. |
| Backbencher Jon Cruddas has not yet revealed figures but a spokeswoman said: "Jon's going to be there." | Backbencher Jon Cruddas has not yet revealed figures but a spokeswoman said: "Jon's going to be there." |
| International Development Secretary Hilary Benn has also said he is confident of getting through to the ballot. | International Development Secretary Hilary Benn has also said he is confident of getting through to the ballot. |
| Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and party chairman Hazel Blears have all published lists of more than 45 supporters. Mr Johnson is thought to have about 70 backers. | Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and party chairman Hazel Blears have all published lists of more than 45 supporters. Mr Johnson is thought to have about 70 backers. |
| There are 352 Labour MPs, meaning all six candidates could get through to the national contest. | There are 352 Labour MPs, meaning all six candidates could get through to the national contest. |