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Brown set to become Labour leader Brown set to become Labour leader
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is set to be confirmed as the new leader of the Labour Party at a special conference in Manchester.Gordon Brown is set to be confirmed as the new leader of the Labour Party at a special conference in Manchester.
Mr Brown, 56, who was unchallenged to be leader, will be named as Tony Blair's successor at about 1500 GMT, and become prime minister on Wednesday.Mr Brown, 56, who was unchallenged to be leader, will be named as Tony Blair's successor at about 1500 GMT, and become prime minister on Wednesday.
A new deputy leader - selected from Harriet Harman, Hilary Benn, Jon Cruddas, Peter Hain, Alan Johnson and Hazel Blears - will also be announced.A new deputy leader - selected from Harriet Harman, Hilary Benn, Jon Cruddas, Peter Hain, Alan Johnson and Hazel Blears - will also be announced.
A poll for the Observer gives Labour a clear lead over the Tories.A poll for the Observer gives Labour a clear lead over the Tories.
It is the first time the party has been put ahead of the Conservatives for eight months.It is the first time the party has been put ahead of the Conservatives for eight months.
'Fiercely fought''Fiercely fought'
Ballots for the deputy leadership closed on Friday.Ballots for the deputy leadership closed on Friday.
BBC political correspondent Robin Brant said the complex voting system had made it difficult to predict who would take over as deputy leader from John Prescott. The complex voting system - and what appears to be a very low turnout - makes it difficult to predict who will take over as deputy leader from John Prescott.
But Education Secretary Mr Johnson, International Development Secretary Mr Benn and Justice Minister Ms Harman were likely to be in contention. Education Secretary Mr Johnson and International Development Secretary Mr Benn were the two frontrunners according to bookmakers.
The votes include three million cast by trade union membersThe votes include three million cast by trade union members
The deputy leader will not necessarily become deputy prime minister, but the political editor of the Daily Telegraph, George Jones, said the winner would be a powerful figure. The deputy leader will not necessarily become deputy prime minister.
"Gordon Brown has had a coronation, he's become leader, or will become leader later today, by acclimation because nobody else has stood against him. But whoever wins will have the power of knowing that they were elected by Labour members, MPs and MEPs and union members.
"But this has been a fiercely fought contest of these six member of the Labour Party and whoever wins it will actually have a mandate, they will have stood on a programme and Gordon Brown will have to take that into account." With Mr Brown having had no challenger for the leadership, the successful deputy will be able to claim that they reflect the priorities of the wider party.
Victory speechVictory speech
Counting has already taken place in the deputy leadership contest, with the six expected to be told who has won later on Sunday morning.
The result of the deputy leadership ballot is expected to be announced at around 1415 GMT.The result of the deputy leadership ballot is expected to be announced at around 1415 GMT.
The winner will make a victory speech before Mr Brown is declared elected unopposed as Mr Blair's successor.The winner will make a victory speech before Mr Brown is declared elected unopposed as Mr Blair's successor.
Mr Brown will then spell out his vision for a Labour government which could stay in office until 2010, by which time he has to call a General Election.Mr Brown will then spell out his vision for a Labour government which could stay in office until 2010, by which time he has to call a General Election.
In recent interviews he insisted he would press on with efforts to create a Cabinet "of all the talents" - despite apparent snubs from two non-Labour recruits.In recent interviews he insisted he would press on with efforts to create a Cabinet "of all the talents" - despite apparent snubs from two non-Labour recruits.
He also said he had learned his lesson about "top-down" government and has pledged to involve ordinary people in his decisions.He also said he had learned his lesson about "top-down" government and has pledged to involve ordinary people in his decisions.
He told BBC News the public needed to be fully involved if big challenges like climate change were to be tackled.He told BBC News the public needed to be fully involved if big challenges like climate change were to be tackled.
Blair presenceBlair presence
Mr Blair - who has just returned from an EU summit and a visit to the Vatican - and Mr Prescott will be in the audience at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, but will take no part in proceedings.Mr Blair - who has just returned from an EU summit and a visit to the Vatican - and Mr Prescott will be in the audience at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, but will take no part in proceedings.
As the chancellor prepares for his new role, research by Ipsos/Mori in the Observer suggested Labour had surged 4% to 39% over the past month and that Conservatives had slipped a point to 36%.As the chancellor prepares for his new role, research by Ipsos/Mori in the Observer suggested Labour had surged 4% to 39% over the past month and that Conservatives had slipped a point to 36%.
Liberal Democrat support fell from 18% to 15%, the poll suggested.Liberal Democrat support fell from 18% to 15%, the poll suggested.
Some 1,970 UK adults were interviewed for the party share poll.Some 1,970 UK adults were interviewed for the party share poll.