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| Version 20 | Version 21 |
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| Brown rival needs more supporters | Brown rival needs more supporters |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Left-winger John McDonnell still needs the support of 18 more MPs if he is to challenge Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership, the party has revealed. | Left-winger John McDonnell still needs the support of 18 more MPs if he is to challenge Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership, the party has revealed. |
| So far, 27 MPs have nominated him, compared with 282 for the chancellor. | So far, 27 MPs have nominated him, compared with 282 for the chancellor. |
| In the deputy leadership contest, Hilary Benn has yet to gain the 45 nominations needed. | |
| Jon Cruddas, Alan Johnson, Harriet Harman, Peter Hain and Hazel Blears have all got through. Nominations are due to close at 1230 BST Thursday. | |
| 'On course' | 'On course' |
| Mr McDonnell said: "This is really good progress. It's not even half-time yet and we're over half-way in terms of nominations with some MPs out of the country and others finalising their position. | Mr McDonnell said: "This is really good progress. It's not even half-time yet and we're over half-way in terms of nominations with some MPs out of the country and others finalising their position. |
| "This confirms that we're well on course for getting on the ballot paper and with this momentum we should make it." | "This confirms that we're well on course for getting on the ballot paper and with this momentum we should make it." |
| DEPUTY CONTEST SUPPORT Hilary Benn - 34 MPsHazel Blears - 48 MPsJon Cruddas - 46 MPsPeter Hain - 49 MPsHarriet Harman - 60 MPs Alan Johnson - 64 MPs Benn short of backers | |
| Among his supporters were backbenchers Dianne Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, Dennis Skinner, Ian Gibson, Ann Cryer, Mike Wood and former rival for the leadership nomination Michael Meacher. | Among his supporters were backbenchers Dianne Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, Dennis Skinner, Ian Gibson, Ann Cryer, Mike Wood and former rival for the leadership nomination Michael Meacher. |
| Prime Minister Tony Blair has nominated Mr Brown, as have Home Secretary John Reid and Pensions Secretary John Hutton. | Prime Minister Tony Blair has nominated Mr Brown, as have Home Secretary John Reid and Pensions Secretary John Hutton. |
| But former Blairite Cabinet ministers Charles Clarke, Alan Milburn and Stephen Byers - who have all said they will support for the chancellor in a demonstration of unity - have yet to nominate him. | But former Blairite Cabinet ministers Charles Clarke, Alan Milburn and Stephen Byers - who have all said they will support for the chancellor in a demonstration of unity - have yet to nominate him. |
| Contest 'unlikely' | Contest 'unlikely' |
| Earlier, Mr Johnson, who is backing Mr Brown for the leadership, said he thought Mr McDonnell was "unlikely" to get enough nominations. | Earlier, Mr Johnson, who is backing Mr Brown for the leadership, said he thought Mr McDonnell was "unlikely" to get enough nominations. |
| Mr McDonnell is the chancellor's only challenger after rival 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 rival left-winger Michael Meacher dropped out on Monday, in the hope they could pool their support. |
| Some 43 of Labour's 352 MPs have still to nominate. | Some 43 of Labour's 352 MPs have still to nominate. |
| 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 Gordon Brown Contender-by-contender Labour contest timetable | 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 Gordon Brown Contender-by-contender Labour contest timetable |
| Earlier, 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. | Earlier, 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." |
| 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. |
| 'David and Goliath' | |
| 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." |
| 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. | Mr Meacher reiterated his support for Mr McDonnell and urged his backers to switch their nominations to him. |
| Rescue this Labour government from itself John McDonnell MP John McDonnell profile Could left damage Brown? Send us your comments | |
| 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." |
| 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 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'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." |
| 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. |
| International Development Secretary Hilary Benn is furthest off, with 34. | |
| On Tuesday evening backbencher Jon Cruddas said he had received at least two more nominations - bringing his total to 46. | |
| Mr Johnson has 64 nominations, Justice Minister Harriet Harman has 60, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has 49 and party chairman Hazel Blears has 48. | Mr Johnson has 64 nominations, Justice Minister Harriet Harman has 60, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has 49 and party chairman Hazel Blears has 48. |