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Straw to run Brown leadership bid Straw to run Brown leadership bid
(about 6 hours later)
Jack Straw has announced he is to run Gordon Brown's campaign for the Labour leadership - the first official confirmation the chancellor will stand.Jack Straw has announced he is to run Gordon Brown's campaign for the Labour leadership - the first official confirmation the chancellor will stand.
In a letter to Labour MPs, the Commons leader says Mr Brown is "supremely well qualified" to build on the achievements of Tony Blair's premiership. He told BBC One's Sunday AM Mr Brown had helped make the UK a "better, fairer, more prosperous place", and had vision to deal with new challenges.
But he says the campaign will not begin until Mr Blair sets out his departure plans "at a time of his own choosing". Earlier, in a letter to MPs, he said the campaign would not begin until Mr Blair set out his departure plans.
MPs Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have already said they plan to stand.MPs Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have already said they plan to stand.
It will be a personal pleasure for me to help ensure that Gordon Brown becomes our next prime minister Jack Straw Letter to MPs: In fullIt will be a personal pleasure for me to help ensure that Gordon Brown becomes our next prime minister Jack Straw Letter to MPs: In full
Meanwhile, Downing Street has denied a newspaper report that Mr Blair told political allies Environment Secretary David Miliband could win the Labour leadership election.Meanwhile, Downing Street has denied a newspaper report that Mr Blair told political allies Environment Secretary David Miliband could win the Labour leadership election.
Sunday's Observer reported that Mr Blair said that if Mr Miliband were to stand "he will win", but sources at Number 10 said: "The prime minister has not said that."Sunday's Observer reported that Mr Blair said that if Mr Miliband were to stand "he will win", but sources at Number 10 said: "The prime minister has not said that."
Sources close to Mr Miliband would not be drawn into the new speculation that he may stand for the Labour leadership.Sources close to Mr Miliband would not be drawn into the new speculation that he may stand for the Labour leadership.
A spokesman for the environment secretary pointed to comments made to the BBC several weeks ago when Mr Miliband repeated his desire to see Mr Brown take over.A spokesman for the environment secretary pointed to comments made to the BBC several weeks ago when Mr Miliband repeated his desire to see Mr Brown take over.
'Positive transformation''Positive transformation'
Mr Brown is the favourite to succeed Mr Blair who has said he will go by September. Mr Brown is the favourite to succeed Mr Blair, who has said he will go by September.
In his letter, Mr Straw says: "It will be a personal pleasure for me to help ensure that Gordon Brown becomes our next prime minister, and continues the positive transformation of the country which Labour has secured since 1997. Mr Straw sent an electronic letter to MPs saying Mr Brown was "supremely well qualified" to build on the achievements of Tony Blair's premiership.
"As the Budget showed, Gordon Brown is supremely well-qualified to build on the huge achievements of Tony Blair's premiership, to keep the Labour Party united, to give us the strategic vision to take on and defeat the Tories at the next election and, above all, show the strength of leadership our nation demands." In it, he says: "It will be a personal pleasure for me to help ensure that Gordon Brown becomes our next prime minister, and continues the positive transformation of the country which Labour has secured since 1997."
The Commons leader, who jointly ran Mr Blair's successful leadership campaign in 1994, says he will be putting together a team and conducting preparatory work over the coming weeks.The Commons leader, who jointly ran Mr Blair's successful leadership campaign in 1994, says he will be putting together a team and conducting preparatory work over the coming weeks.
However, he stressed the "paramount priority" for the party was the Scottish and Welsh elections on 3 May.However, he stressed the "paramount priority" for the party was the Scottish and Welsh elections on 3 May.
Two MPs - John McDonnell and Michael Meacher - have declared their intention to stand for the Labour leadership but it is not yet clear whether either can secure the nominations of 44 other MPs needed to take part in the election.Two MPs - John McDonnell and Michael Meacher - have declared their intention to stand for the Labour leadership but it is not yet clear whether either can secure the nominations of 44 other MPs needed to take part in the election.