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Labour leadership contest to open Labour leadership contest to open
(about 2 hours later)
Nominations for the Labour leadership contest are set to open, with Gordon Brown facing a potential challenge from one of two opponents.Nominations for the Labour leadership contest are set to open, with Gordon Brown facing a potential challenge from one of two opponents.
The chancellor took part in his first head-to-head debate with two possible left-wing contenders on Sunday.The chancellor took part in his first head-to-head debate with two possible left-wing contenders on Sunday.
Michael Meacher and John McDonnell are meeting on Monday to decide which of them will try to challenge Mr Brown.Michael Meacher and John McDonnell are meeting on Monday to decide which of them will try to challenge Mr Brown.
Mr Brown said he "welcomed the contest", but insisted Labour could not return to failed policies of the past.Mr Brown said he "welcomed the contest", but insisted Labour could not return to failed policies of the past.
Nominations for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests will open at 1430 BST on Monday, and will close at 1230 BST on Thursday.Nominations for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests will open at 1430 BST on Monday, and will close at 1230 BST on Thursday.
There will be 10 hustings events before the results are announced at a special one-day leadership conference in Manchester on Sunday 24 June - three days before Tony Blair will formally step down as prime minister.There will be 10 hustings events before the results are announced at a special one-day leadership conference in Manchester on Sunday 24 June - three days before Tony Blair will formally step down as prime minister.
I think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice Michael Meacher,Leadership challenger Labour contest timetable Race for deputy hots upI think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice Michael Meacher,Leadership challenger Labour contest timetable Race for deputy hots up
Speaking at the debate staged by the Fabian Society on Sunday, Mr Brown promised "prudent" government.Speaking at the debate staged by the Fabian Society on Sunday, Mr Brown promised "prudent" government.
"My aim has always been that every single individual in this country should have the chance to realise their potential," he said."My aim has always been that every single individual in this country should have the chance to realise their potential," he said.
"Progress for this country is not going to be down to the policies that failed in the past.""Progress for this country is not going to be down to the policies that failed in the past."
Mr Brown also suggested a government under his leadership could include more women.Mr Brown also suggested a government under his leadership could include more women.
"I want more women in Parliament, more women in the government, more women in the Cabinet," he said.
'Public support''Public support'
And on a visit to a development in Southampton on Monday, he pledged to increase construction of social housing by 50%.
But his plans for five new "eco towns" announced on Sunday were criticised by the Tories as an old Labour policy the government had failed to implement.
Mr McDonnell insisted he could be a strong challenger in the leadership contest.Mr McDonnell insisted he could be a strong challenger in the leadership contest.
He said the public wanted "someone for example who voted against the war in Iraq. All the other parties voted for it, and I voted against.He said the public wanted "someone for example who voted against the war in Iraq. All the other parties voted for it, and I voted against.
This campaign is about giving people a voice again John McDonnell,Leadership challenger Contender-by-contender This campaign is about giving people a voice again John McDonnell,Leadership challenger Contender-by-contender
"I'm opposed to the privatisation of our public services. So issue by issue not only do I have support on the policy issues within the Labour Party, I also have support in the general public.""I'm opposed to the privatisation of our public services. So issue by issue not only do I have support on the policy issues within the Labour Party, I also have support in the general public."
He said the campaign was "about giving people a voice again" and told the BBC that if one of them gets on the ballot paper people will be "shocked" by the support they get.He said the campaign was "about giving people a voice again" and told the BBC that if one of them gets on the ballot paper people will be "shocked" by the support they get.
Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher will meet on Monday to see if they have enough support from MPs between them for one of them to go forward to challenge Mr Brown.Mr McDonnell and Mr Meacher will meet on Monday to see if they have enough support from MPs between them for one of them to go forward to challenge Mr Brown.
The eventual candidate will need to get the backing of 45 Labour MPs to enter the contest.The eventual candidate will need to get the backing of 45 Labour MPs to enter the contest.
(l-r) Michael Meacher and John McDonnell debate with Mr Brown(l-r) Michael Meacher and John McDonnell debate with Mr Brown
Mr Meacher was keen to stress the importance of having a debate within the Labour Party.Mr Meacher was keen to stress the importance of having a debate within the Labour Party.
"The Labour Party, throughout the 100 years of its history, has elected its leader every single time, except in 1931, which was very exceptional circumstances," he said."The Labour Party, throughout the 100 years of its history, has elected its leader every single time, except in 1931, which was very exceptional circumstances," he said.
"And I think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice and that it is key that people choose and do not have a leaders imposed on them.""And I think people want to have an opportunity of a debate and a choice and that it is key that people choose and do not have a leaders imposed on them."
He added there was a "tremendous desire" to have the party as "a vibrant effective force which the leadership takes account of".He added there was a "tremendous desire" to have the party as "a vibrant effective force which the leadership takes account of".
HAVE YOUR SAY Everything Gordon Brown says seems to be his genuine belief Matthew Dunn, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Everything Gordon Brown says seems to be his genuine belief Matthew Dunn, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Send us your comments
The timetable for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests was agreed at a meeting of Labour's ruling national executive committee on Sunday.The timetable for both the leadership and deputy leadership contests was agreed at a meeting of Labour's ruling national executive committee on Sunday.
There are six potential candidates for deputy leader.There are six potential candidates for deputy leader.
Harriet Harman, Peter Hain and Hazel Blears have published lists of at least 45 backers. Alan Johnson is thought to have more than the required backers.Harriet Harman, Peter Hain and Hazel Blears have published lists of at least 45 backers. Alan Johnson is thought to have more than the required backers.
Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of getting to 45.Jon Cruddas and Hilary Benn say they are "confident" of getting to 45.
Meanwhile a poll of Conservative party members suggests most believe Gordon Brown will be easier to beat than Tony Blair.
Of the 1,519 members surveyed by the Conservative Home website, only 4% thought Mr Brown would be a more effective leader, 64% thought he would be less effective.