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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Brown rival struggles for support | Brown rival struggles for support |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown's only rival for the Labour leadership is struggling to get enough support to run. | Chancellor Gordon Brown's only rival for the Labour leadership is struggling to get enough support to run. |
| Left-winger John McDonnell has picked up the backing of only two more MPs bringing his total nominations to 29 MPs - 16 fewer than the 45 needed. | Left-winger John McDonnell has picked up the backing of only two more MPs bringing his total nominations to 29 MPs - 16 fewer than the 45 needed. |
| As things stand Mr Brown, with 297 nominations, will become leader and PM unopposed when Tony Blair stands down. | As things stand Mr Brown, with 297 nominations, will become leader and PM unopposed when Tony Blair stands down. |
| Mr McDonnell has until 1230 BST on Thursday to get 45 backers. Only 27 Labour MPs have yet to nominate. | |
| 'Difficult' | 'Difficult' |
| But according to BBC research at least four of the 27 are planning to nominate Mr Brown and three plan not to nominate anyone. That would leave Mr McDonnell needing 16 from the remaining 20 to nominate him. | |
| Mr McDonnell's spokesman said: "A large number have backed Gordon Brown, which obviously makes it difficult for us. | Mr McDonnell's spokesman said: "A large number have backed Gordon Brown, which obviously makes it difficult for us. |
| 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 |
| "But there are still a number of MPs to play for." | "But there are still a number of MPs to play for." |
| The spokesman added that it was "important to have a democratic election so that Labour Party members can vote". | The spokesman added that it was "important to have a democratic election so that Labour Party members can vote". |
| Candidates who get 45 or more nominations go to a ballot of party members, trade unionists and Labour MPs and European Parliament members. | Candidates who get 45 or more nominations go to a ballot of party members, trade unionists and Labour MPs and European Parliament members. |
| In the deputy leadership contest, in which there are six candidates, only International Development Secretary Hilary Benn - with 40 nominations - has yet to get through to the national ballot. | In the deputy leadership contest, in which there are six candidates, only International Development Secretary Hilary Benn - with 40 nominations - has yet to get through to the national ballot. |
| DEPUTY CONTEST SUPPORT Hilary Benn - 34 MPsHazel Blears - 49 MPsJon Cruddas - 46 MPsPeter Hain - 50 MPsHarriet Harman - 61 MPs Alan Johnson - 68 MPs Benn short of backers | |
| He said: "I know that members want the chance to choose from among all the candidates who have put themselves forward for deputy leader, and I am very confident that I will be on the ballot." | He said: "I know that members want the chance to choose from among all the candidates who have put themselves forward for deputy leader, and I am very confident that I will be on the ballot." |
| Backbencher Jon Cruddas, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Labour chairman Hazel Blears have all got through. | Backbencher Jon Cruddas, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Labour chairman Hazel Blears have all got through. |
| It is thought 38 Labour MPs have yet to nominate a deputy leadership contender. | |
| Those candidates who make it on to either ballot paper will take part in 10 hustings around the country ahead of a special conference in Manchester on 24 June, when the new leader and deputy leader will be named. | Those candidates who make it on to either ballot paper will take part in 10 hustings around the country ahead of a special conference in Manchester on 24 June, when the new leader and deputy leader will be named. |
| Mr Blair and deputy Labour leader John Prescott will hand over on 27 June. | Mr Blair and deputy Labour leader John Prescott will hand over on 27 June. |