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/6643501.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hain claims support as deputy PM Hain claims support as deputy PM
(10 minutes later)
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain says he has enough support to be nominated for the Labour Party's deputy leadership.Welsh Secretary Peter Hain says he has enough support to be nominated for the Labour Party's deputy leadership.
He said he had 47 MPs supporting him, plus his own vote - more than the 45 needed to get on the ballot paper.He said he had 47 MPs supporting him, plus his own vote - more than the 45 needed to get on the ballot paper.
The post will become vacant when John Prescott stands down about the same time as PM Tony Blair goes on 27 June.The post will become vacant when John Prescott stands down about the same time as PM Tony Blair goes on 27 June.
Alan Johnson, Harriet Harman, Hilary Benn, party chairwoman Hazel Blears and backbencher Jon Cruddas are also in the race to become the new deputy leader.Alan Johnson, Harriet Harman, Hilary Benn, party chairwoman Hazel Blears and backbencher Jon Cruddas are also in the race to become the new deputy leader.
Mr Hain told the BBC he had enough support within hours of Mr Prescott's resignation news, and is due to make a speech in his constituency later on Thursday.
'I'm the first'
He said he was pleased to get such support as it is not possible - mathematically speaking - for all six declared contenders to get on the ballot paper.
"I'm very grateful indeed to parliamentary colleagues who've put me there. Because you need to win at least that proportion to actually be in the contest, and I'm the first able to say that I'm in that contest," he told BBC News 24.
Mr Hain said the deputy leadership position, which John Prescott has held for 13 years, including 10 years as deputy prime minister, should "bind" the government with backbenchers, the party at large and the country, but admitted that it was up to the next Labour Party leader to decide on the specific tasks.
In his speech in Neath later, he is due to say: "I am standing for the deputy leadership because I believe that in order to win the next election, Labour must reconnect the leadership of the party with grassroots members and trade unionists, reach out to those in society we have lost touch with, and rebuild the progressive coalition which secured us two landslide victories.
"I am proud that my support within the Parliamentary Labour Party demonstrates my appeal to all parts of the country, all sections of the party and to both marginal seats in Middle Britain and to traditional Labour heartlands, both of which we must win to secure victory at the next general election."