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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blears 'to run for deputy leader' | Blears 'to run for deputy leader' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Labour chairman Hazel Blears is expected to announce that she will run for the party's deputy leadership. | |
| She will be the sixth MP to declare she will contest the race to replace John Prescott when he stands down later this year with Prime Minister Tony Blair. | She will be the sixth MP to declare she will contest the race to replace John Prescott when he stands down later this year with Prime Minister Tony Blair. |
| Ms Blears, MP for Salford, is likely to make a formal announcement on Saturday. | Ms Blears, MP for Salford, is likely to make a formal announcement on Saturday. |
| A source said last week that she had received a "strong" show of support from MPs and party members. Ms Blears is seen a strong supporter of Mr Blair. | A source said last week that she had received a "strong" show of support from MPs and party members. Ms Blears is seen a strong supporter of Mr Blair. |
| Cabinet ministers Hilary Benn, Peter Hain and Alan Johnson have already said they will run for the deputy leadership, as have Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman and backbencher Jon Cruddas. | Cabinet ministers Hilary Benn, Peter Hain and Alan Johnson have already said they will run for the deputy leadership, as have Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman and backbencher Jon Cruddas. |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown is seen as the strong favourite to replace Mr Blair, but the deputy contest is regarded as far more open. | Chancellor Gordon Brown is seen as the strong favourite to replace Mr Blair, but the deputy contest is regarded as far more open. |
| Ms Blears has been Labour chairman since last May and considered a loyal Blairite. | Ms Blears has been Labour chairman since last May and considered a loyal Blairite. |
| She has faced criticism from potential rivals for the deputy leadership that she has been campaigning behind the scenes for some months, according to press reports. | She has faced criticism from potential rivals for the deputy leadership that she has been campaigning behind the scenes for some months, according to press reports. |
| On Wednesday, left-wing backbencher Michael Meacher announced he was launching a bid to replace Mr Blair as party leader. | On Wednesday, left-wing backbencher Michael Meacher announced he was launching a bid to replace Mr Blair as party leader. |
| He joins fellow left-winger John McDonnell as a declared candidate. | He joins fellow left-winger John McDonnell as a declared candidate. |
| Mr Blair and Mr Prescott will leave office this year, with many commentators expecting them to go shortly after the English local elections in May. | Mr Blair and Mr Prescott will leave office this year, with many commentators expecting them to go shortly after the English local elections in May. |