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Brown to launch leadership bid Brown launching bid to be leader
(about 2 hours later)
Chancellor Gordon Brown is set to officially launch his bid to be the next Labour leader.Chancellor Gordon Brown is set to officially launch his bid to be the next Labour leader.
Following Tony Blair's announcement that he will step down on 27 June, the process of selecting a successor begins - with Mr Brown seen as the favourite.Following Tony Blair's announcement that he will step down on 27 June, the process of selecting a successor begins - with Mr Brown seen as the favourite.
Would-be contenders Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have yet to declare if they have enough support to mount a challenge against him.Would-be contenders Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have yet to declare if they have enough support to mount a challenge against him.
Mr Brown praised the PM's achievements as "unique" and "enduring." Mr Brown is expected to pledge to make Britain a "better and fairer" place.
Mr Brown is expected to set out his priorities for Britain during a tour of marginal constituencies in London and south east England. Gordon would welcome any contest that there is and the opportunity for debate that will bring Leader of the Commons Jack Straw
Under the slogan, Gordon Brown for Britain, it is understood the chancellor will set out his priorities for the country during a tour of marginal constituencies in London and the South East of England.
Leader of the Commons Jack Straw, Mr Brown's campaign manager, said the chancellor would welcome any challengers for the Number 10 job.
"I'm not worried about a challenge. Gordon's not worried about this either, Gordon would welcome any contest that there is and the opportunity for debate that will bring," he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY I feel like Brown has been snuck in through the back door Luke Frost, Sunderland Send us your comments
Mr Straw added that during the next six weeks the chancellor would be setting out his strategy to make Britain "not only a better place, but a much fairer place as well".
Backbench challenge
Mr Brown is unlikely to face a Cabinet-level challenge for the leadership.
But he could still face competition from one of two left-wing backbenchers - Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher.
The pair met on Thursday as planned to see who had the most support, with the idea that the one with the least support stepping aside.
At all times he tried to do the right thing Gordon BrownChancellor Blair bids farewell to Chirac
However, a press conference after that meeting was cancelled, with the two saying their numbers of backers were "too close to call" and further clarification were needed, with the decision postponed.
Candidates need the signatures of 45 Labour MPs to enter a contest.
After Mr Blair's resignation speech, the Labour Party's website removed the slogan "New Labour, New Britain", closely associated with the current prime minister, and replaced it with a logo designed for the leadership campaign.
It features a red rose accompanied by the words "Labour leadership elections".
However, a party spokesman said the New Labour branding would be replaced after the leadership elections.
BLAIR ANNOUNCEMENT Q&A: What happens now? Analysis: Blair's exit message
Mr Blair first told the Cabinet of his departure plans on Thursday, before travelling to his constituency to make a speech to party activists.Mr Blair first told the Cabinet of his departure plans on Thursday, before travelling to his constituency to make a speech to party activists.
At all times he tried to do the right thing Gordon BrownChancellor
He acknowledged his government had not always lived up to high expectations but said he had been "very blessed" to lead "the greatest nation on earth".He acknowledged his government had not always lived up to high expectations but said he had been "very blessed" to lead "the greatest nation on earth".
Mr Brown, who attended the Cabinet meeting, said of Mr Blair that people would remember "how he led the country after 7 July, how he responded for the world after 11 September in America, how he responded to the tragic death of Princess Diana".Mr Brown, who attended the Cabinet meeting, said of Mr Blair that people would remember "how he led the country after 7 July, how he responded for the world after 11 September in America, how he responded to the tragic death of Princess Diana".
He said Mr Blair's legacy would also be better public services and a strong economy adding: "At all times he tried to do the right thing".He said Mr Blair's legacy would also be better public services and a strong economy adding: "At all times he tried to do the right thing".
The prime minister will travel to Paris later to say farewell to the outgoing French President, Jacques Chirac, and to welcome the President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy.
US relationshipUS relationship
Mr Brown gave the first hint that under his leadership there may be a cooling in Britain's relationship with the US. Meanwhile, Mr Brown has given the first hint that under his leadership there may be a cooling in Britain's relationship with the US.
In an interview with this week's Time magazine, he was pointedly non-committal - talking only of the strong shared values and interests of Britain and America and his belief that they will endure. In an interview with this week's Time magazine, he was non-committal - talking only of the strong shared values and interests of Britain and America and his belief that they will endure.
BLAIR ANNOUNCEMENT Q&A: What happens now? Analysis: Blair's exit message
He was asked if, after his meeting last month with the president, he believes President Bush is a man he can do business with.He was asked if, after his meeting last month with the president, he believes President Bush is a man he can do business with.
He replied: "President Bush is the elected leader of the American people. I was pleased to have the chance to talk to him ... I have over the years worked with different administrations ... And I think with both parties in America relationships are strong." He replied: "President Bush is the elected leader of the American people. I was pleased to have the chance to talk to him... I have over the years worked with different administrations... And I think with both parties in America relationships are strong."
In the article Mr Brown also warned against expectations of a 100-day policy blitz, saying he will have a wider focus on winning public support and enthusiasm. Mr Blair's successor will be announced at a special party conference on June 24.
On Iraq, he said he accepted responsibility as a Cabinet member and admits there are lessons to be learned, but adds: "There will be no sense in which we seek to walk away from decisions we made."
Mr Brown is unlikely to face a Cabinet-level challenge for the leadership.
But he could still face a challenge from one of two left-wing backbenchers - Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher.
The pair met on Thursday as planned to see who had the most support, with the idea that the one with the least support stepping aside.
However a press conference after that meeting was cancelled, with the two saying their numbers of backers were "too close to call" and further clarification were needed, with a decision postponed to Monday.
Candidates need the signatures of 45 Labour MPs to enter a contest.