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Brown awaits leader confirmation Brown awaits leader confirmation
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown will be confirmed as Tony Blair's successor when nominations for the Labour leadership and deputy leadership close at 1230 BST.Gordon Brown will be confirmed as Tony Blair's successor when nominations for the Labour leadership and deputy leadership close at 1230 BST.
The chancellor's only rival, John McDonnell, conceded after Mr Brown secured enough nominations from Labour MPs to stop him getting the 45 needed.The chancellor's only rival, John McDonnell, conceded after Mr Brown secured enough nominations from Labour MPs to stop him getting the 45 needed.
But Mr Brown will still take part in 10 hustings with the six MPs hoping to succeed John Prescott as deputy leader.But Mr Brown will still take part in 10 hustings with the six MPs hoping to succeed John Prescott as deputy leader.
Mr Blair has said he will stand down as prime minister on 27 June.Mr Blair has said he will stand down as prime minister on 27 June.
Opportunity 'denied'Opportunity 'denied'
Mr Brown has now received 309 nominations from Labour MPs, prompting Mr McDonnell, who has 29, to admit it is "mathematically impossible" for him to reach the threshold required.Mr Brown has now received 309 nominations from Labour MPs, prompting Mr McDonnell, who has 29, to admit it is "mathematically impossible" for him to reach the threshold required.
We are delighted that the party is uniting behind Gordon and giving him such overwhelming support Jack StrawGordon Brown's campaign manager Analysis: No contest? Brown's train trip into history We are delighted that the party is uniting behind Gordon and giving him such overwhelming support Jack StrawGordon Brown's campaign manager Analysis: No contest? Brown's train trip into history
He congratulated Mr Brown, but said it was a shame party members would be denied "an opportunity of participating in a democratic election for the leader of this party".He congratulated Mr Brown, but said it was a shame party members would be denied "an opportunity of participating in a democratic election for the leader of this party".
"I had hoped by standing I would have given them a voice in this crucial decision," he said."I had hoped by standing I would have given them a voice in this crucial decision," he said.
Mr Brown's campaign said they would await the formal voting figures announced, which will be announced by the party at 1230 BST, before making any statement. Mr Brown's campaign said they would await the close of nominations at 1230 BST, before making any statement.
The chancellor's campaign manager Jack Straw said: "We are delighted that the party is uniting behind Gordon and giving him such overwhelming support."The chancellor's campaign manager Jack Straw said: "We are delighted that the party is uniting behind Gordon and giving him such overwhelming support."
'Coronation''Coronation'
But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the fact Mr Brown would be unopposed meant it was even more important that there was a general election. But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "As Mr Brown will not face a challenger, it is all the more important that there should be a general election now.
"The country is surely entitled to pass judgement on whether he should become the most powerful politician in the country.
"A coronation is good neither for Labour nor Britain. It is no way to install a prime minister when even his own party doesn't have a choice."
HAVE YOUR SAY We have not had an opportunity to hear his manifesto, let alone debate it M Nickerson, Horndean Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY We have not had an opportunity to hear his manifesto, let alone debate it M Nickerson, Horndean Send us your comments
"The country is surely entitled to pass judgement on whether he should become the most powerful politician in the country," he said."The country is surely entitled to pass judgement on whether he should become the most powerful politician in the country," he said.
"A coronation is good neither for Labour nor Britain." The Conservatives have also called for a general election once Mr Blair goes.
Party leader David Cameron has said the prime minister's successor would have no mandate to lead the country
Mr Blair stood for election in 2005 having promised to serve a full third term as prime minister.Mr Blair stood for election in 2005 having promised to serve a full third term as prime minister.
However, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I suspect that when people, when they went to vote in the general election, did not have Tony Blair's departure date at the front of their mind."However, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I suspect that when people, when they went to vote in the general election, did not have Tony Blair's departure date at the front of their mind."
He added: "I think most people think it was a matter of when he went."He added: "I think most people think it was a matter of when he went."
Labour Party chairman Hazel Blears said Mr Brown would be "out and about setting out his vision for the country".Labour Party chairman Hazel Blears said Mr Brown would be "out and about setting out his vision for the country".
New backers Six way contest
On Thursday evening, Labour MP for Cannock Chase, Dr Tony Wright, confirmed to the BBC he had nominated Mr Brown as leader, making him Mr Brown's 308th backer.
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay's office has also said he will nominate Mr Brown.
Of the other MPs yet to declare, the speaker cannot make a nomination and the deputy speaker, Sylvia Heal, has told the BBC she could nominate but had decided not to.
Former home secretary Charles Clarke and former welfare reform minister, and longstanding opponent of Mr Brown, Frank Field, are among those who have not yet backed Mr Brown.
Candidates who get 45 or more nominations for either the leadership or the deputy leadership go to a ballot of party members, trade unionists and Labour MPs and European Parliament members.Candidates who get 45 or more nominations for either the leadership or the deputy leadership go to a ballot of party members, trade unionists and Labour MPs and European Parliament members.
As of 1800 BST on Wednesday in the deputy leadership contest, only International Development Secretary Hilary Benn - with 42 nominations - had yet to get through to the national ballot.As of 1800 BST on Wednesday in the deputy leadership contest, only International Development Secretary Hilary Benn - with 42 nominations - had yet to get through to the national ballot.
But the BBC was told later that he picked up another three backers, setting up the prospect of a six way contest for the deputy's job.But the BBC was told later that he picked up another three backers, setting up the prospect of a six way contest for the deputy's job.
Backbencher Jon Cruddas, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Labour chairman Hazel Blears have all got through.Backbencher Jon Cruddas, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Labour chairman Hazel Blears have all got through.
After nominations close, there will be 10 hustings around the country ahead of a special conference in Manchester on 24 June, when the new leader and deputy leader will be named.After nominations close, there will be 10 hustings around the country ahead of a special conference in Manchester on 24 June, when the new leader and deputy leader will be named.