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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Brown to be crowned leader - Hain | Brown to be crowned leader - Hain |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown is likely to become Labour leader without a contest, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said. | Gordon Brown is likely to become Labour leader without a contest, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said. |
| Mr Hain, one of at least six deputy leadership hopefuls, said "everyone", including Mr Brown himself, would "prefer a contest to a coronation". | Mr Hain, one of at least six deputy leadership hopefuls, said "everyone", including Mr Brown himself, would "prefer a contest to a coronation". |
| But one could not be contrived if there were no challengers, he added. | But one could not be contrived if there were no challengers, he added. |
| Backbencher John McDonnell, the only MP so far to reveal his leadership ambitions, may not get enough nominations to mount a bid. | Backbencher John McDonnell, the only MP so far to reveal his leadership ambitions, may not get enough nominations to mount a bid. |
| 'Party support' | 'Party support' |
| A contest for the Labour leadership had seemed certain after Tony Blair announced in September that he would leave Downing Street within a year. | A contest for the Labour leadership had seemed certain after Tony Blair announced in September that he would leave Downing Street within a year. |
| DEPUTY LEADERSHIP HOPEFULS Peter Hain Harriet Harman Alan Johnson Jon Cruddas Hilary Benn Jack Straw | DEPUTY LEADERSHIP HOPEFULS Peter Hain Harriet Harman Alan Johnson Jon Cruddas Hilary Benn Jack Straw |
| But despite initial speculation Home Secretary John Reid or Education Secretary Alan Johnson would mount a bid from the Blairite wing of the party, it is becoming increasingly likely that no heavyweight challenger to Mr Brown will emerge. | But despite initial speculation Home Secretary John Reid or Education Secretary Alan Johnson would mount a bid from the Blairite wing of the party, it is becoming increasingly likely that no heavyweight challenger to Mr Brown will emerge. |
| Mr Hain, who has backed Mr Brown as the next leader, with himself as deputy, urged Blairites to stop trying to "contrive" a contest. | Mr Hain, who has backed Mr Brown as the next leader, with himself as deputy, urged Blairites to stop trying to "contrive" a contest. |
| He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Everybody's made it clear - I have on the record, so has Gordon - that he'd prefer a contest to a coronation. | He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Everybody's made it clear - I have on the record, so has Gordon - that he'd prefer a contest to a coronation. |
| "But you can't make it happen. It's got to happen voluntarily, by democratic decision of the party." | "But you can't make it happen. It's got to happen voluntarily, by democratic decision of the party." |
| Renewing the pary in government was more important than having a leadership contest, added Mr Hain. | Renewing the pary in government was more important than having a leadership contest, added Mr Hain. |
| Left-winger John McDonnell has gained some support among trade unionists and party activists for his leadership bid - but still needs 44 nominations from Labour MPs before he can put his name on the ballot paper. | Left-winger John McDonnell has gained some support among trade unionists and party activists for his leadership bid - but still needs 44 nominations from Labour MPs before he can put his name on the ballot paper. |
| He recently told BBC One's Sunday AM he was confident he had support in Parliament and the wider party but added: "It's a hell of hill to climb, no doubt about that." | |
| 'Control freak' | 'Control freak' |
| Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has said it is "very unlikely" that he will stand. | Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has said it is "very unlikely" that he will stand. |
| Mr Clarke had previously criticised the chancellor as a "control freak" with personality flaws. | Mr Clarke had previously criticised the chancellor as a "control freak" with personality flaws. |
| But speaking on BBC One's Question Time on Thursday, he said he had always believed Mr Brown would make a "very good" prime minister, adding: "I can tell you what I expect to see. I expect to see Gordon Brown as the next leader of the Labour Party." | But speaking on BBC One's Question Time on Thursday, he said he had always believed Mr Brown would make a "very good" prime minister, adding: "I can tell you what I expect to see. I expect to see Gordon Brown as the next leader of the Labour Party." |
| Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton has said there should be a contest, but said it was "very unlikely" he would stand. | Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton has said there should be a contest, but said it was "very unlikely" he would stand. |
| Candidates for the deputy leadership have been more forthcoming, with Mr Hain, Hilary Benn, John Cruddas, Alan Johnson and Harriet Harman all declaring their ambitions to take over when John Prescott stands down. | |
| Commons leader Jack Straw is also thought likely to throw his hat into the ring and odds at the bookmakers are shortening on Labour chairman Hazel Blears entering the race. | Commons leader Jack Straw is also thought likely to throw his hat into the ring and odds at the bookmakers are shortening on Labour chairman Hazel Blears entering the race. |
| Environment Secretary David Miliband has ruled himself out of a leadership bid, throwing his weight behind Gordon Brown. | Environment Secretary David Miliband has ruled himself out of a leadership bid, throwing his weight behind Gordon Brown. |
| He remains a possible contender for the deputy's job but has not so far commented on his intentions. | He remains a possible contender for the deputy's job but has not so far commented on his intentions. |