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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Benn short of deputy bid backers | Benn short of deputy bid backers |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| Cabinet minister Hilary Benn is still 11 nominations short of the minimum required to formally enter the Labour deputy leadership race. | Cabinet minister Hilary Benn is still 11 nominations short of the minimum required to formally enter the Labour deputy leadership race. |
| Mr Benn, a one-time bookies' favourite, has 34 backers but needs 45 by Thursday lunchtime to get on to the ballot. | Mr Benn, a one-time bookies' favourite, has 34 backers but needs 45 by Thursday lunchtime to get on to the ballot. |
| Four other frontbench contenders have more than 45, with Alan Johnson leading the field on 64 so far. | Four other frontbench contenders have more than 45, with Alan Johnson leading the field on 64 so far. |
| Backbencher Jon Cruddas has 44 nominations but his team say he is confident of reaching 45 by Wednesday. | Backbencher Jon Cruddas has 44 nominations but his team say he is confident of reaching 45 by Wednesday. |
| Both Prime Minister Tony Blair and deputy leader John Prescott will stand down on 27 June. | |
| Mr Benn had been seen as the frontrunner to land the deputy's job, attracting support from across Labour's political spectrum from former Cabinet colleague David Blunkett to veteran left-winger Dennis Skinner. | Mr Benn had been seen as the frontrunner to land the deputy's job, attracting support from across Labour's political spectrum from former Cabinet colleague David Blunkett to veteran left-winger Dennis Skinner. |
| A recent YouGov poll of more than 1,000 Labour Party members and trade unionists gave the international development secretary a 14 point lead. | A recent YouGov poll of more than 1,000 Labour Party members and trade unionists gave the international development secretary a 14 point lead. |
| Benn 'confident' | Benn 'confident' |
| But he faces a battle over the next two days to gain enough support from Labour colleagues in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) to enter the race, with 53 MPs yet to declare their hand. | But he faces a battle over the next two days to gain enough support from Labour colleagues in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) to enter the race, with 53 MPs yet to declare their hand. |
| Mr Benn said: "I am really pleased with the strong support I have received so far from across the PLP and the Party. | Mr Benn said: "I am really pleased with the strong support I have received so far from across the PLP and the Party. |
| DEPUTY CONTEST SUPPORT Hilary Benn - 34Hazel Blears - 48 Jon Cruddas - 44Peter Hain - 49Harriet Harman - 60 Alan Johnson - 64 | DEPUTY CONTEST SUPPORT Hilary Benn - 34Hazel Blears - 48 Jon Cruddas - 44Peter Hain - 49Harriet Harman - 60 Alan Johnson - 64 |
| "This election will be the first opportunity Party members have had to select a new leadership team when Labour is in government. | "This election will be the first opportunity Party members have had to select a new leadership team when Labour is in government. |
| "I know that members want the chance to choose from among all the candidates who have put themselves forward for deputy leader, and I am very confident that I will be on the ballot." | "I know that members want the chance to choose from among all the candidates who have put themselves forward for deputy leader, and I am very confident that I will be on the ballot." |
| The four deputy leadership hopefuls with more than 45 backers are: Mr Johnson; Justice Minister Harriet Harman; Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain; and party chairman Hazel Blears. | The four deputy leadership hopefuls with more than 45 backers are: Mr Johnson; Justice Minister Harriet Harman; Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain; and party chairman Hazel Blears. |
| Earlier Mr Johnson launched his campaign, saying he could be the "unity" candidate and said he was backed by 64 MPs, including the current deputy leader John Prescott. | Earlier Mr Johnson launched his campaign, saying he could be the "unity" candidate and said he was backed by 64 MPs, including the current deputy leader John Prescott. |
| 'Force for unity' | 'Force for unity' |
| Mr Johnson said: "I think I'm the right person at this time for this leader to be the deputy. I believe I've got the skills. I believe I've got the experience. | Mr Johnson said: "I think I'm the right person at this time for this leader to be the deputy. I believe I've got the skills. I believe I've got the experience. |
| "I believe I've got the background to enhance and complement Gordon's enormous appeal to the electorate. I can be a force for unity." | "I believe I've got the background to enhance and complement Gordon's enormous appeal to the electorate. I can be a force for unity." |
| The education secretary is backing Gordon Brown's bid to be Labour leader and prime minister. | The education secretary is backing Gordon Brown's bid to be Labour leader and prime minister. |
| I am not going to support any candidate. It is up to them to prove to the rest of the party how they will do it Gordon Brown McDonnell needs backers | I am not going to support any candidate. It is up to them to prove to the rest of the party how they will do it Gordon Brown McDonnell needs backers |
| But he said the winner of the deputy leadership contest should not necessarily become deputy prime minister - Mr Prescott holds both roles. | But he said the winner of the deputy leadership contest should not necessarily become deputy prime minister - Mr Prescott holds both roles. |
| Mr Brown, the clear favourite to succeed Mr Blair, would not be drawn on his preferred candidate for the deputy leadership. | Mr Brown, the clear favourite to succeed Mr Blair, would not be drawn on his preferred candidate for the deputy leadership. |
| He told the BBC earlier: "I am not going to support any candidate. It is up to them to prove to the rest of the party how they will do it," he said. | He told the BBC earlier: "I am not going to support any candidate. It is up to them to prove to the rest of the party how they will do it," he said. |
| There are 352 Labour MPs, meaning all six candidates could get through to the national ballot. | There are 352 Labour MPs, meaning all six candidates could get through to the national ballot. |
| The winner, decided by party members, trade unionists and MPs and European Parliament members, will be announced on 24 June. | The winner, decided by party members, trade unionists and MPs and European Parliament members, will be announced on 24 June. |