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Blears 'to run for deputy leader' Blears 'to run for deputy leader'
(about 1 hour later)
Labour chairman Hazel Blears is to launch a bid for the party's deputy leadership. Labour chairman Hazel Blears is to launch a bid for the deputy leadership, urging the party not to distance itself too radically from Tony Blair.
She will be the sixth MP to enter 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 enter the race to replace John Prescott when he stands down later this year with the prime minister.
The Salford MP, who is seen as a loyal Blairite, is expected to make a formal announcement on Saturday. Ms Blears, seen as a Blairite, is to make an announcement on Saturday.
She told the London Evening Standard it would be a "great mistake" to ditch what Mr Blair stands for.
Some other challengers - including ministers Peter Hain and Harriet Harman - have been seen to be trying to reconnect with Labour's core voters, by criticising huge City bonuses and the wealth gap.
People voted for Tony Blair in considerable numbers. They will take a dim view of us if we say, in effect, 'that was all rubbish and we're different now' Hazel Blears
But Ms Blears told the newspaper: "We must never forget that we need success to help deliver prosperity and support success to deliver everything else we have to do."
And the Salford MP said if Labour was seen as a party which only helped the poor and vulnerable, it risked alienating voters who had not traditionally backed them.
"People voted for Tony Blair in considerable numbers. They will take a dim view of us if we say, in effect, 'that was all rubbish and we're different now'," she said.
'Strong support'
A source told the BBC last week that she had received a "strong" show of support from MPs and party members.A source told the BBC last week that she had received a "strong" show of support from MPs and party members.
Mr Blair has said he will step down by September, and Mr Prescott has said he will leave government at the same time. She is expected to formally launch her campaign in her Salford constituency on Saturday.
Chancellor Gordon Brown is still firm favourite to succeed Mr Blair, with no challengers yey emerging from the Cabinet ranks to compete for the top job. Her entry into the race means there are now six declared runners for the deputy's job, with Cabinet ministers Hilary Benn and Alan Johnson and backbencher Jon Cruddas, in addition to Ms Harman and Mr Hain, also in the race.
But candidates for Mr Prescott's post have been far more forthcoming. Ms Blears, 50, who was promoted to the Cabinet last May, has consistently defended Blairite policies from tuition fees to the Iraq war.
'Success and aspiration'
Ms Blears, 50, who was promoted to the Cabinet last May, will promise to ensure that Labour is a party of "success and aspiration".
She has consistently defended Blairite policies on everything from tuition fees to the Iraq war.
But her decision to join a demonstration against the closure of a maternity unit in her constituency prompted her political rivals to accuse her of "double standards", for campaigning against government policy.But her decision to join a demonstration against the closure of a maternity unit in her constituency prompted her political rivals to accuse her of "double standards", for campaigning against government policy.
She responded: "My first and foremost job is to represent Salford and the people of the area."
Meacher challengeMeacher challenge
Ms Blears has also faced criticism from potential rivals for the deputy leadership that she has been campaigning behind the scenes for some months. And she faced criticism from potential rivals for the deputy leadership that she has been campaigning behind the scenes for some months - something she denies.
Her post gives her better access to the party machine and wider membership than others - but she has denied abusing the role. Chancellor Gordon Brown is still seen as the firm favourite to replace Mr Blair, but on Wednesday, veteran left winger Michael Meacher said he wanted to challenge him for the party leadership.
Cabinet ministers Hilary Benn, Peter Hain and Alan Johnson are already campaigning for the deputy leadership, along with Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman and backbencher Jon Cruddas.
Gordon Brown is seen as the strong favourite to replace Mr Blair, but on Wednesday, veteran left winger Michael Meacher said he wanted to challenge him for the party leadership.
He said Labour members deserved a say in the party's future direction and insisted it was not a "foregone conclusion" that Mr Brown would be the next prime minister.He said Labour members deserved a say in the party's future direction and insisted it was not a "foregone conclusion" that Mr Brown would be the next prime minister.
He joins fellow left-winger John McDonnell as a potential candidate.He joins fellow left-winger John McDonnell as a potential candidate.
Both men must now gain the backing of 45 Labour MPs to get on to the ballot and trigger a contest.Both men must now gain the backing of 45 Labour MPs to get on to the ballot and trigger a contest.