This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6629515.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Stage set for Brown 'coronation' Stage set for Brown 'coronation'
(about 7 hours later)
Gordon Brown will not face a heavyweight challenge for the Labour leadership when Tony Blair stands down this week, key Blair allies have said. Gordon Brown is not now likely to face a heavyweight challenge for the Labour leadership when Tony Blair stands down this week.
Mr Brown could still face a challenge from one of two left-wing backbenchers.Mr Brown could still face a challenge from one of two left-wing backbenchers.
But Blair allies Lord Falconer and pensions secretary John Hutton have both said they expect the chancellor to be the next party leader. But Home Secretary John Reid's surprise announcement that he will be voting for Mr Brown effectively ends the prospect of a Cabinet-level contest.
And Mr Blair - writing in the News of the World - said Mr Brown can beat the Tories at the next election. Mr Reid has said he will quit frontline politics at the end of June "when Mr Blair goes".
Mr Blair is expected to announce a timetable for his departure on Thursday - but will continue to serve as prime minister during a seven week Labour leadership and deputy leadership contest.Mr Blair is expected to announce a timetable for his departure on Thursday - but will continue to serve as prime minister during a seven week Labour leadership and deputy leadership contest.
He has already said he expects Mr Brown to take over as prime minister "within weeks" and has repeatedly praised the chancellor's stewardship of the economy.He has already said he expects Mr Brown to take over as prime minister "within weeks" and has repeatedly praised the chancellor's stewardship of the economy.
'Judgement''Judgement'
But in an article for the News of the World, he appeared to go further by suggesting Mr Brown could lead the party to a fourth consecutive election victory.But in an article for the News of the World, he appeared to go further by suggesting Mr Brown could lead the party to a fourth consecutive election victory.
I don't think it's right to have a contest when there is no appetite for one Lord FalconerI don't think it's right to have a contest when there is no appetite for one Lord Falconer
Mr Blair argued acknowledged Labour had a fight on its hands to win a fourth term but he insisted it could bounce back from Thursday's setbacks at the polls in Scotland, England and Wales.Mr Blair argued acknowledged Labour had a fight on its hands to win a fourth term but he insisted it could bounce back from Thursday's setbacks at the polls in Scotland, England and Wales.
But he said the Tories' policies were a "mess" and were not "not thought through".But he said the Tories' policies were a "mess" and were not "not thought through".
He went on: "Gordon Brown by contrast is completely thought through.He went on: "Gordon Brown by contrast is completely thought through.
"He has steered our economy from one of boom and bust to one of the best in the world."He has steered our economy from one of boom and bust to one of the best in the world.
"He didn't do it by choosing the easy way. He did it by sound judgment, holding his nerve and putting the long-term interests of Britain first."He didn't do it by choosing the easy way. He did it by sound judgment, holding his nerve and putting the long-term interests of Britain first.
"At general election time, that is still the route to victory.""At general election time, that is still the route to victory."
'Clear run''Clear run'
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, also predicted that Mr Brown would become prime minister.The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, also predicted that Mr Brown would become prime minister.
He told Sky News: "That would be my judgment, that Gordon Brown will be the next leader of the Labour Party."He told Sky News: "That would be my judgment, that Gordon Brown will be the next leader of the Labour Party."
He added: "Gordon Brown is a towering figure in the Labour Party.He added: "Gordon Brown is a towering figure in the Labour Party.
"I don't think it's right to have a contest when there is no appetite for one."I don't think it's right to have a contest when there is no appetite for one.
Asked whether Mr Brown could lead Labour to general election success, he said: "Without doubt."Asked whether Mr Brown could lead Labour to general election success, he said: "Without doubt."
Work and pensions secretary John Hutton - another key Blair ally tipped at one time as a possible leadership challenger - also threw his weight behind Mr Brown, telling GMTV he would "do everything I can" to help the chancellor.Work and pensions secretary John Hutton - another key Blair ally tipped at one time as a possible leadership challenger - also threw his weight behind Mr Brown, telling GMTV he would "do everything I can" to help the chancellor.
On Friday, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke - long tipped as a possible Blairite challenger - said he would not be standing against Mr Brown.On Friday, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke - long tipped as a possible Blairite challenger - said he would not be standing against Mr Brown.
Home Secretary John Reid has said he will vote for Mr Brown, after announcing his resignation from the cabinet when Tony Blair goes.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson, who is bidding to be Labour's deputy leader, welcomed Mr Clarke's decision not to stand.Education Secretary Alan Johnson, who is bidding to be Labour's deputy leader, welcomed Mr Clarke's decision not to stand.
"I think Gordon is superior in the sense of his intellect, his experience, his drive his energy, that everyone including me thinks he's the best candidate," he told BBC1's Sunday AM."I think Gordon is superior in the sense of his intellect, his experience, his drive his energy, that everyone including me thinks he's the best candidate," he told BBC1's Sunday AM.
'Exciting''Exciting'
Mr Johnson added that Labour would enjoy a "bounce" if Mr Brown took over from Mr Blair.Mr Johnson added that Labour would enjoy a "bounce" if Mr Brown took over from Mr Blair.
But former environment minister, and leadership hopeful, Michael Meacher said he doubted Mr Brown's ability to turn the party around, arguing New Labour had "run its course".But former environment minister, and leadership hopeful, Michael Meacher said he doubted Mr Brown's ability to turn the party around, arguing New Labour had "run its course".
"Whoever is the new leader, it's not just a question of changing the face, it's a question of reinvigorating, exciting the enthusiasm and imagination of our supporters. We clearly lost it," he told BBC1's Sunday AM."Whoever is the new leader, it's not just a question of changing the face, it's a question of reinvigorating, exciting the enthusiasm and imagination of our supporters. We clearly lost it," he told BBC1's Sunday AM.
Mr Meacher said he and fellow left-wing challenger John McDonnell had made a deal that they would not stand against each other for the party leadership.Mr Meacher said he and fellow left-wing challenger John McDonnell had made a deal that they would not stand against each other for the party leadership.
The pair will decide in the middle of this week which of them has the most support and throw their weight behind that person.The pair will decide in the middle of this week which of them has the most support and throw their weight behind that person.
Mr Meacher said it was "very likely" one of the two would achieve the support of the 44 MPs needed to enter a leadership contest against Mr Brown.Mr Meacher said it was "very likely" one of the two would achieve the support of the 44 MPs needed to enter a leadership contest against Mr Brown.