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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.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.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.
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 backersDEPUTY 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
"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."
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 Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, Dennis Skinner, Ian Gibson, Ann Cryer, Mike Wood and former rival for the leadership nomination Michael Meacher.
Tony Blair has nominated Mr Brown, as have Home Secretary John Reid and Pensions Secretary John Hutton.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.
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 timetableI'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
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.
Earlier, Mr McDonnell's spokesman told the BBC News website said there would be much support among Labour's grassroots for Mr McDonnell's opposition to the Iraq war, privatisation and university tuition fees.Earlier, Mr McDonnell's spokesman told the BBC News website 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''David and Goliath'
"There's terrific enthusiasm for a genuine debate. If John gets on the ballot, Gordon Brown will face a serious challenge," he said."There's terrific enthusiasm for a genuine debate. If John gets on the ballot, Gordon Brown will face a serious challenge," he 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.""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."
Rescue this Labour government from itself John McDonnell MP John McDonnell profile Could left damage Brown? Send us your commentsRescue this Labour government from itself John McDonnell MP John McDonnell profile Could left damage Brown? Send us your comments
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.
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'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."
Numeracy pledgeNumeracy pledge
Later, in a speech to the Confederation of British Industry, he outlined his vision of a Brown premiership in a speech to business leaders.Later, in a speech to the Confederation of British Industry, he outlined his vision of a Brown premiership in a speech to business leaders.
He promised to reduce innumeracy among primary school leavers with one-to-one tuition and offer more apprenticeships for teenagers at risk of dropping out of school.He promised to reduce innumeracy among primary school leavers with one-to-one tuition and offer more apprenticeships for teenagers at risk of dropping out of school.
The chancellor also pledged to "never take any risks with inflation or with the stability of the economy", and said the challenges of globalisation had to be met with "world class" education, skills and innovation.The chancellor also pledged to "never take any risks with inflation or with the stability of the economy", and said the challenges of globalisation had to be met with "world class" education, skills and innovation.
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.