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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Brown launching bid to be leader | Brown launching bid to be leader |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown is preparing to officially launch his bid to be the next Labour leader and prime minister. | |
| Following Tony Blair's announcement that he will step down on 27 June, the process of selecting a successor begins - with Mr Brown overwhelming favourite. | |
| The only other contenders, backbench Labour MPs Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have yet to say if they have enough backers to enter the race. | |
| Mr Brown is expected to pledge to make Britain a "better and fairer" place. | Mr Brown is expected to pledge to make Britain a "better and fairer" place. |
| Gordon would welcome any contest that there is and the opportunity for debate that will bring Leader of the Commons Jack Straw | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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 | 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". | 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". |
| Mr Brown is unlikely to face a Cabinet-level challenge for the leadership. | Mr Brown is unlikely to face a Cabinet-level challenge for the leadership. |
| But he could still face competition from one of the 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 would step aside. | |
| At all times he tried to do the right thing Gordon BrownChancellor Blair bids farewell to Chirac | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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 | 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. |
| 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. | 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 relationship | US relationship |
| Meanwhile, Mr Brown has given 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 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. |
| 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." |
| Mr Blair's successor will be announced at a special party conference on June 24. | Mr Blair's successor will be announced at a special party conference on June 24. |