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End Labour deputy post, MPs urge Axe Labour deputy post, MP says
(about 3 hours later)
A group of Labour MPs is calling for the party to scrap the post of deputy leader, arguing that the impending election contest will be too costly. Ex-minister John Spellar is calling for Labour to scrap the post of deputy leader, arguing that the impending election contest will be too costly.
They estimate the ballot would cost the party - which is £23m in debt - £2m and would cost unions more than £1.5m. He estimates the ballot will cost the party - which is £23m in debt - £2m and would cost unions more than £1.5m.
They also believe the competition could be divisive within the party. He also believes the competition could be divisive within the party.
Alan Johnson, John Cruddas, Harriet Harman and Peter Hain are among seven MPs to officially or semi-officially declare interest in the post. Alan Johnson, John Cruddas, Harriet Harman, Hilary Benn and Peter Hain are among seven MPs to officially declare, or indicate, an interest in the post.
Hilary Benn, Jack Straw and Hazel Blears have also been mentioned. Labour chairman Hazel Blears and Commons leader Jack Straw have also been mentioned as possible runners.
At Labour's conference John Prescott made it clear he will resign as Deputy Leader at the same time as Tony Blair leaves office. 'Grassroots'
But former minister John Spellar told PM on BBC Radio 4 the potential cost was "an awful lot of money to spend for the election". At Labour's conference John Prescott made it clear he intends to resign as deputy leader at the same time as Tony Blair leaves office - something which is due to happen by September.
But Mr Spellar told BBC Radio 4's PM the potential cost was "an awful lot of money to spend for the election".
He added: "At the same time we're also seeing cabinet members, almost by definition, having to distance themselves from each other...He added: "At the same time we're also seeing cabinet members, almost by definition, having to distance themselves from each other...
"They should all be pulling together and quite frankly - not running campaigns, but running their departments and running the country."They should all be pulling together and quite frankly - not running campaigns, but running their departments and running the country.
"And this could go on until next summer.""And this could go on until next summer."
He says his view has the unanimous support of localactivists in his constituency.
Mr Cruddas has said if he becomes deputy Labour leader he would not want the role of deputy primeminister, saying he believes the role should be about providing a link between leadership and grassroots.