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Deputy Labour leader race hots up Deputy Labour leader race hots up
(about 5 hours later)
The contest to succeed John Prescott as Labour's deputy leader looks like it might stay as a six way battle. The contest to succeed John Prescott as Labour's deputy leader looks like it might stay as a six-way battle.
Candidates must have backing from 45 Labour MPs to run - and the only ones thought not to have reached that point say they hope to make it by Thursday.Candidates must have backing from 45 Labour MPs to run - and the only ones thought not to have reached that point say they hope to make it by Thursday.
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 support.
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.
The real task at hand should be to rebuild the party on the ground across the length and breadth of the country Jon CruddasDeputy leader contender Hustings
Nominations open on Monday at 1430 BST and close on 1230 BST on Thursday. Lists of backers will be published on the Labour website on Tuesday at 1800 BST and Wednesday at 1300 BST and 1800 BST. Nominations opened on Monday at 1430 BST and close on 1230 BST on Thursday. Lists of backers will be published on the Labour website on Tuesday at 1800 BST and Wednesday at 1300 BST and 1800 BST.
For those who get the 45 MP nominations, there will be a series of 10 hustings before the winner is chosen by votes from an electoral college made up of Labour MPs, Labour Party members and by trade unions. For those who get the 45 MP nominations, there will be a series of 10 hustings before the winner is chosen by votes from an electoral college divided into the three blocks of Labour MPs and MEPs, Labour Party members and affiliated trade unions.
The result will be announced at a one day conference on Sunday 24 June in Manchester. The result will be announced at a one-day conference on Sunday 24 June in Manchester.
The closely fought deputy leadership contest looks set to be in contrast to the leadership contest - which might yet see Gordon Brown selected unopposed.The closely fought deputy leadership contest looks set to be in contrast to the leadership contest - which might yet see Gordon Brown selected unopposed.
'Voice heard' Ms Harman, who said on Monday she had 60 MPs backing her, told the BBC she was a politician with "a lot of experience and fresh ideas for the future".
Ms Blears, Labour chairwoman, said she would be able to stand up to Mr Brown if necessary. She added: "People expect to see a team of a woman and a man working together in the interests of women and men in this country."
She told ITV1's Sunday Edition: "I think that you can, in politics, have really good, robust discussions, you don't always agree 100%. Ms Blears, also launching her campaign, said: "We have a real sense among us that this campaign has to be about talking about the issues the public are really concerned about."
"If you can get a man and a woman, then I think it's a great thing for politics." Ms Harman has published a list of 60 MPs backing her, Mr Hain 48 and Ms Blears 47.
HAVE YOUR SAY Everything Gordon Brown says seems to be his genuine belief Matthew Dunn, Newcastle-Under-Lyme class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6278&edition=2&ttl=20070510223503">Send us your comments Mr Johnson, Mr Benn and Mr Cruddas have yet to reveal their level of support.
And Hilary Benn, currently international development secretary, said he would be prepared to say things which the new leader would not want to hear.
"Part of the job (of the deputy leader) is sometimes to say things to the leader that he doesn't want to hear. And that I would do because it's part of the role.
"It's ensuring that the voice of government gets heard."
Mr Cruddas, the only non-minister in the field, told BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend he was confident of getting enough supporters to ensure his name was on the ballot paper.
He said he would not be deputy prime minister even if asked, saying the deputy party leader's "real task at hand should be to rebuild the party on the ground across the length and breadth of the country".
Mr Hain said last week he thought the next deputy leader had to "bind" the party together across the country: "We've had too much policy bounced on us, haven't we. We've had not enough listening, and there's been too much lecturing."
A survey of Labour MPs for BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend, suggests Harriet Harman has the most backers among Labour MPs.