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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Blair exit timetable to be agreed | Blair exit timetable to be agreed |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A timetable for elections to replace Tony Blair is expected to be agreed next week by Labour's National Executive Committee. | A timetable for elections to replace Tony Blair is expected to be agreed next week by Labour's National Executive Committee. |
| Mr Blair is expected to announce his retirement as prime minister after the Scottish and Welsh elections on 4 May. | Mr Blair is expected to announce his retirement as prime minister after the Scottish and Welsh elections on 4 May. |
| There will then be a seven-week contest for the position of Labour leader and deputy leader, the BBC understands. | There will then be a seven-week contest for the position of Labour leader and deputy leader, the BBC understands. |
| Gordon Brown may still be required to attend hustings and face a vote even if he is the only leadership candidate. | Gordon Brown may still be required to attend hustings and face a vote even if he is the only leadership candidate. |
| So far two candidates from the left of the party, Michael Meacher and John McDonnell, have declared their intention to challenge Mr Brown for the top job. | So far two candidates from the left of the party, Michael Meacher and John McDonnell, have declared their intention to challenge Mr Brown for the top job. |
| As and when there is a leadership election for the Labour Party, I will set out what I intend to do Gordon Brown | As and when there is a leadership election for the Labour Party, I will set out what I intend to do Gordon Brown |
| But it is not certain that they will be able to gain the 44 signatures of other Labour MPs needed to get on to the ballot. | But it is not certain that they will be able to gain the 44 signatures of other Labour MPs needed to get on to the ballot. |
| Mr Brown, who has been criticised by some for not spelling out his plans for when he becomes leader, told the Financial Times on Friday: "As and when there is a leadership election for the Labour Party, I will set out what I intend to do." | Mr Brown, who has been criticised by some for not spelling out his plans for when he becomes leader, told the Financial Times on Friday: "As and when there is a leadership election for the Labour Party, I will set out what I intend to do." |
| But, as he prepares to deliver his 11th budget next week, he reiterated his promise to take no risks with the economy. | But, as he prepares to deliver his 11th budget next week, he reiterated his promise to take no risks with the economy. |
| He said last month's below-inflation public sector pay settlement showed he would not be held to ransom by the trade unions. | He said last month's below-inflation public sector pay settlement showed he would not be held to ransom by the trade unions. |
| Hustings | Hustings |
| "It would have been far more expedient for me to take a different position on public sector pay," he told the newspaper. | "It would have been far more expedient for me to take a different position on public sector pay," he told the newspaper. |
| "But I will not allow wage inflation to affect the path of general inflation." | "But I will not allow wage inflation to affect the path of general inflation." |
| Mr Blair has said he intends to attend the G8 summit in Germany from 6 to 8 June. | |
| If he were to resign on the day after the Scottish and Welsh elections, Britain could have a new prime minister by Friday, 22 June. | |
| But the Labour Party would have to call a special conference to announce the new leader, which is more likely to be held at a weekend. | |
| The first week of the seven-week leadership campaign would cover the nomination period, when all candidates would be required to show they had support of at least 44 other MPs. | The first week of the seven-week leadership campaign would cover the nomination period, when all candidates would be required to show they had support of at least 44 other MPs. |
| That would be followed by six weeks of campaigning, with voting among MPs, party members and unions taking place over the final three weeks. | That would be followed by six weeks of campaigning, with voting among MPs, party members and unions taking place over the final three weeks. |
| The party wants to hold five hustings around the country, to give party members a chance to question the contenders, the BBC understands. | The party wants to hold five hustings around the country, to give party members a chance to question the contenders, the BBC understands. |
| BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that - if no-one gains enough support to run against Mr Brown for the leadership - there is a strong possibility he will still be required to attend these hustings along with the deputy leadership candidates. | BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that - if no-one gains enough support to run against Mr Brown for the leadership - there is a strong possibility he will still be required to attend these hustings along with the deputy leadership candidates. |
| Six MPs have confirmed they will run for the deputy leader's job, to replace John Prescott who has said he will stand down with Mr Blair. | Six MPs have confirmed they will run for the deputy leader's job, to replace John Prescott who has said he will stand down with Mr Blair. |
| There contenders include five cabinet ministers - Peter Hain, Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Hazel Blears, Alan Johnson - and one backbencher, Jon Cruddas. | There contenders include five cabinet ministers - Peter Hain, Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Hazel Blears, Alan Johnson - and one backbencher, Jon Cruddas. |