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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
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| Brown facing McDonnell challenge | Brown facing McDonnell challenge |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell is hoping to challenge Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership. | Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell is hoping to challenge Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership. |
| He is the chancellor's only rival after ex-minister Michael Meacher agreed to stand aside as part of the left-wing MPs' agreement to pool their support. | He is the chancellor's only rival after ex-minister Michael Meacher agreed to stand aside as part of the left-wing MPs' agreement to pool their support. |
| Mr Brown says he "welcomes" a contest, but it is still not clear Mr McDonnell will get the backing of 45 Labour MPs which is needed to enter the race. | |
| Mr Brown remains the overwhelming favourite to succeed Tony Blair. | Mr Brown remains the overwhelming favourite to succeed Tony Blair. |
| Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher met on Monday afternoon as part of an agreement in which the one with the fewer backers would step aside so at least one of them might get the 45 backers. | Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher met on Monday afternoon as part of an agreement in which the one with the fewer backers would step aside so at least one of them might get the 45 backers. |
| 'Hustings' | 'Hustings' |
| Their meeting on Monday came shortly after the official leadership contest began with the opening of nominations. | Their meeting on Monday came shortly after the official leadership contest began with the opening of nominations. |
| Mr Meacher said that between them the two were backed by more than 45 MPs and asked his supporters to "get behind" his former rival. | Mr Meacher said that between them the two were backed by more than 45 MPs and asked his supporters to "get behind" his former rival. |
| Mr McDonnell urged Labour MPs to nominate him "to ensure there's an election for the leader of the Labour Party". | Mr McDonnell urged Labour MPs to nominate him "to ensure there's an election for the leader of the Labour Party". |
| Rescue this Labour government from itself John McDonnell MP John McDonnell profile Could left damage Brown? | Rescue this Labour government from itself John McDonnell MP John McDonnell profile Could left damage Brown? |
| He added: "If they do not nominate, hundreds of thousands of Labour Party members and trade union members affiliated to our party will be denied the opportunity to determine the future of our party and our government." | He added: "If they do not nominate, hundreds of thousands of Labour Party members and trade union members affiliated to our party will be denied the opportunity to determine the future of our party and our government." |
| 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 will formally step 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 will formally step down as prime minister. |
| At a debate in London on Sunday between Mr Meacher, Mr McDonnell and Mr Brown, Mr McDonnell had insisted he could be a strong challenger in the leadership contest. | At a debate in London on Sunday between Mr Meacher, Mr McDonnell and Mr Brown, Mr McDonnell had insisted he could be a strong challenger in the leadership contest. |
| 'Giving a voice' | 'Giving a voice' |
| 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. |
| "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. |
| This campaign is about giving people a voice again John McDonnellLeadership challenger Contender-by-contender Labour contest timetable | This campaign is about giving people a voice again John McDonnellLeadership challenger Contender-by-contender Labour contest timetable |
| Speaking at the Sunday evening debate Mr Brown promised "prudent" government. | Speaking at the Sunday evening debate 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. |
| 'Public support' | 'Public support' |
| And on a visit to a development in Southampton on Monday, he pledged to increase construction of social housing by 50%. | And on a visit to a development in Southampton on Monday, he pledged to increase construction of social housing by 50%. |
| But his plans for five new "eco towns" announced on Sunday were criticised by the Tories as an old Labour policy the government had failed to implement. | But his plans for five new "eco towns" announced on Sunday were criticised by the Tories as an old Labour policy the government had failed to implement. |
| There are six potential candidates for deputy leader. They also need the support of 45 MPs to progress. | There are six potential candidates for deputy leader. They also need the support of 45 MPs to progress. |
| Harriet Harman has published a list of 60 MPs who back her, while Peter Hain says he has 48 supporters and Hazel Blears 47. Alan Johnson is also thought to have more than the required 45 backers. | Harriet Harman has published a list of 60 MPs who back her, while Peter Hain says he has 48 supporters and Hazel Blears 47. Alan Johnson is also thought to have more than the required 45 backers. |
| Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of achieving this goal. | Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of achieving this goal. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Everything Gordon Brown says seems to be his genuine belief Matthew Dunn, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Everything Gordon Brown says seems to be his genuine belief Matthew Dunn, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Send us your comments |
| There are 352 Labour MPs, meaning all six candidates could get more than 45 backers. | There are 352 Labour MPs, meaning all six candidates could get more than 45 backers. |
| Meanwhile a poll of Conservative Party members suggests most believe Gordon Brown will be easier to beat than Tony Blair. | Meanwhile a poll of Conservative Party members suggests most believe Gordon Brown will be easier to beat than Tony Blair. |
| Of the 1,519 members surveyed by the Conservative Home website, only 4% thought Mr Brown would be a more effective leader, 64% thought he would be less effective. | Of the 1,519 members surveyed by the Conservative Home website, only 4% thought Mr Brown would be a more effective leader, 64% thought he would be less effective. |