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Prescott ready for Labour finale | Prescott ready for Labour finale |
(about 2 hours later) | |
John Prescott is set to bring the curtain down on Labour's conference as the contest to replace him and Tony Blair at the party's helm gathers pace. | John Prescott is set to bring the curtain down on Labour's conference as the contest to replace him and Tony Blair at the party's helm gathers pace. |
Mr Prescott, who on Wednesday threw his weight behind Gordon Brown to be the next PM, is expected to quit his post when Mr Blair quits Downing Street. | Mr Prescott, who on Wednesday threw his weight behind Gordon Brown to be the next PM, is expected to quit his post when Mr Blair quits Downing Street. |
Three people have so far said they will stand for Mr Prescott's job. | |
Home Secretary John Reid will tell delegates he plans to send ministers out to Muslim communities. | |
'Not brow-beaten' | |
The ministers will encourage communities to "face down extremist bullies", Mr Reid will say. | |
The speech follows the controversy which erupted when Mr Reid was heckled during a visit to Leytonstone, east London, as he urged Muslim parents to guard against their children being radicalised. | |
He will tell Labour delegates there must be no "no go" areas. | |
"We will not be brow beaten by bullies, that's what it means to be British," Mr Reid will say. | |
He particularly wants to engage with Muslim women who he sees as a moderating influence. | |
Crowded field | Crowded field |
Mr Reid is seen as one of the very few possible heavyweight rivals to Chancellor Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership. | |
His speech will be closely watched for any clues as to whether he has aspirations for the leadership. | |
After the emotional response given to Tony Blair's last conference speech as prime minister, Mr Prescott is expected to confirm that Thursday's speech will be his final one as deputy leader. | After the emotional response given to Tony Blair's last conference speech as prime minister, Mr Prescott is expected to confirm that Thursday's speech will be his final one as deputy leader. |
Mr Prescott has traditionally used his end-of-conference address to deliver a rallying cry to Labour activists - and to poke fun at the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. | Mr Prescott has traditionally used his end-of-conference address to deliver a rallying cry to Labour activists - and to poke fun at the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. |
And Mr Blair paid tribute to what he called his vital role over the past 12 years in taking the New Labour message to the Labour Party. | And Mr Blair paid tribute to what he called his vital role over the past 12 years in taking the New Labour message to the Labour Party. |
But his speech, due at about noon, comes after a year when he has faced a number of controversies. | But his speech, due at about noon, comes after a year when he has faced a number of controversies. |
Cowboy outfit | Cowboy outfit |
He admitted to an affair with his diary secretary, lost his department in the reshuffle and then gave up his official residence of Dorneywood. | He admitted to an affair with his diary secretary, lost his department in the reshuffle and then gave up his official residence of Dorneywood. |
And he was hit by controversy over his stay on the ranch of US tycoon Philip Anschutz, the man who wants to get a casino licence for the Millennium Dome and gave Mr Prescott a cowboy outfit. | |
Mr Prescott has repeatedly denied any conflict of interest and police on Wednesday rejected claims that he had broken anti-corruption laws. | Mr Prescott has repeatedly denied any conflict of interest and police on Wednesday rejected claims that he had broken anti-corruption laws. |
Backbencher Jon Cruddas and ministers Harriet Harman and Peter Hain have already said they want to succeed Mr Prescott. | Backbencher Jon Cruddas and ministers Harriet Harman and Peter Hain have already said they want to succeed Mr Prescott. |
And Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Commons Leader Jack Straw are among other potential candidates for the deputy leadership. | And Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Commons Leader Jack Straw are among other potential candidates for the deputy leadership. |
The speech comes after the Labour leadership suffered a double defeat at the conference in votes on NHS reforms and council housing. | The speech comes after the Labour leadership suffered a double defeat at the conference in votes on NHS reforms and council housing. |