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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Johnson starts deputy leader bid | Johnson starts deputy leader bid |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Education Secretary Alan Johnson is launching his bid to become Labour's next deputy leader. | Education Secretary Alan Johnson is launching his bid to become Labour's next deputy leader. |
| He started his campaign on Friday by saying Labour must continue to occupy the political centre ground. | |
| Mr Johnson had been seen as a possible leadership contender, but ruled himself out, calling Chancellor Gordon Brown a "vastly superior" candidate. | Mr Johnson had been seen as a possible leadership contender, but ruled himself out, calling Chancellor Gordon Brown a "vastly superior" candidate. |
| Meanwhile, Pensions Secretary John Hutton is "open-minded" about standing for leader, the BBC has learned. | Meanwhile, Pensions Secretary John Hutton is "open-minded" about standing for leader, the BBC has learned. |
| 'Enough support' | 'Enough support' |
| A Westminster source added that Home Secretary John Reid had not "thrown in the towel" either. | A Westminster source added that Home Secretary John Reid had not "thrown in the towel" either. |
| But there would be no point in any minister "standing to lose", it was added. | But there would be no point in any minister "standing to lose", it was added. |
| We have been at our most successful when we have signalled our determination to win political power Alan Johnson Profile: Alan Johnson | We have been at our most successful when we have signalled our determination to win political power Alan Johnson Profile: Alan Johnson |
| Cabinet ministers Peter Hain and Hilary Benn, constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman and backbencher Jon Cruddas have already declared their intention to run for the deputy leadership. | Cabinet ministers Peter Hain and Hilary Benn, constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman and backbencher Jon Cruddas have already declared their intention to run for the deputy leadership. |
| Commons leader Jack Straw is also thought likely to enter the race. | Commons leader Jack Straw is also thought likely to enter the race. |
| The current deputy prime minister, John Prescott, has said he will stand down within the next year, when Tony Blair quits as Labour leader. | The current deputy prime minister, John Prescott, has said he will stand down within the next year, when Tony Blair quits as Labour leader. |
| Mr Johnson has said he has the backing of the 44 Labour MPs needed to stand. | Mr Johnson has said he has the backing of the 44 Labour MPs needed to stand. |
| He has set out plans for a two-year campaign to retain the marginal seats which will decide the next general election. | He has set out plans for a two-year campaign to retain the marginal seats which will decide the next general election. |
| In an open letter to Labour Party members, published on Friday, he writes: "I am not putting myself forward for leader - not least because there's a more experienced and obvious candidate. | In an open letter to Labour Party members, published on Friday, he writes: "I am not putting myself forward for leader - not least because there's a more experienced and obvious candidate. |
| "But I will be able to assist, support, cajole and complement the person who carries the heaviest of all political burdens." | "But I will be able to assist, support, cajole and complement the person who carries the heaviest of all political burdens." |
| The deputy must be "subordinate to and supportive of the leader, (carrying) out whatever duties the leader sees as being essential to securing a fourth term in office". | The deputy must be "subordinate to and supportive of the leader, (carrying) out whatever duties the leader sees as being essential to securing a fourth term in office". |
| Mr Johnson, 56, a former leader of the Communication Workers Union, said he would fight to preserve Labour's link with unions. | Mr Johnson, 56, a former leader of the Communication Workers Union, said he would fight to preserve Labour's link with unions. |
| But he warned against left-wing "dogma" which had consigned the party to opposition in the 1980s. | But he warned against left-wing "dogma" which had consigned the party to opposition in the 1980s. |
| Since 1997, Labour had "not just occupied the political centre ground, we've shifted it to the left" on issues like the minimum wage, international aid, family-friendly working, public service investment and full employment, he said. | Since 1997, Labour had "not just occupied the political centre ground, we've shifted it to the left" on issues like the minimum wage, international aid, family-friendly working, public service investment and full employment, he said. |
| Mr Johnson, MP for Hull West and Hessle, revealed his supporters included parliamentary aide Laura Moffatt, Home Office minister Gerry Sutcliffe, and backbench MPs John Grogan and Sadiq Khan. | Mr Johnson, MP for Hull West and Hessle, revealed his supporters included parliamentary aide Laura Moffatt, Home Office minister Gerry Sutcliffe, and backbench MPs John Grogan and Sadiq Khan. |
| Mr Brown's only confirmed challenger for the leadership is left-winger John McDonnell. | Mr Brown's only confirmed challenger for the leadership is left-winger John McDonnell. |
| Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "There's no point in standing for a position just for the point of standing for a contest." | Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "There's no point in standing for a position just for the point of standing for a contest." |
| He had "never coveted" the leadership", he added. | He had "never coveted" the leadership", he added. |
| On Thursday ex-minister Michael Meacher signalled he may stand for leader when Tony Blair steps down next year, saying there should be a "centre-left" candidate. | On Thursday ex-minister Michael Meacher signalled he may stand for leader when Tony Blair steps down next year, saying there should be a "centre-left" candidate. |