This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33866249

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Peter Hain: Yvette Cooper needs to up her game Peter Hain: Yvette Cooper needs to up her game
(about 1 hour later)
Yvette Cooper needs to step up her campaign if she is to win the contest to become Labour's next leader, ex-cabinet minister Peter Hain has said.Yvette Cooper needs to step up her campaign if she is to win the contest to become Labour's next leader, ex-cabinet minister Peter Hain has said.
He told the BBC he had switched his support from Andy Burnham to the Pontefract and Castleford MP. He told the BBC he had switched his support from Andy Burnham to Ms Cooper.
But he said time was running out for her to "set this campaign alight" and beat current frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn.But he said time was running out for her to "set this campaign alight" and beat current frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn.
It comes after an opinion poll suggested the left-wing MP will romp to victory in Labour's leadership contest. A campaign spokeswoman welcomed Mr Hain's support and said Ms Cooper had launched a tour of the country to speak to as many Labour members as possible.
Mr Hain's call comes after an opinion poll suggested left-wing MP Mr Corbyn will romp to victory in Labour's leadership contest.
The YouGov poll for The Times of 1,400 eligible voters put the Islington North MP on 53%, 32 points ahead of Mr Burnham. Ms Cooper is down two points, on 18% and Liz Kendall down three, on 8%.The YouGov poll for The Times of 1,400 eligible voters put the Islington North MP on 53%, 32 points ahead of Mr Burnham. Ms Cooper is down two points, on 18% and Liz Kendall down three, on 8%.
'Not helpful''Not helpful'
The popularity of Mr Corbyn's campaign has caused a row within the Labour Party, with several senior figures - including former Prime Minister Tony Blair - warning against a lurch to the left.The popularity of Mr Corbyn's campaign has caused a row within the Labour Party, with several senior figures - including former Prime Minister Tony Blair - warning against a lurch to the left.
And Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's former spokesman, is urging support for "anyone but Corbyn", saying the London MP could never win a general election.And Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's former spokesman, is urging support for "anyone but Corbyn", saying the London MP could never win a general election.
However, Labour deputy leadership contender Tom Watson has told the BBC that critics of Mr Corbyn should keep quiet.However, Labour deputy leadership contender Tom Watson has told the BBC that critics of Mr Corbyn should keep quiet.
"Telling members what not to do is not helpful and not enhancing the debate that we need about the future of the country," he said."Telling members what not to do is not helpful and not enhancing the debate that we need about the future of the country," he said.
He added that Mr Campbell should decide whether he had been a "helpful part" of the debate.He added that Mr Campbell should decide whether he had been a "helpful part" of the debate.
'Little time left''Little time left'
Commenting on the leadership contest, former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that the more people attacked Mr Corbyn's campaign "the better he seems to do".Commenting on the leadership contest, former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that the more people attacked Mr Corbyn's campaign "the better he seems to do".
He said Ms Cooper and Mr Burnham were the "two most credible candidates" in the race but they had "failed to catch the mood in the party in the way that I had hoped".He said Ms Cooper and Mr Burnham were the "two most credible candidates" in the race but they had "failed to catch the mood in the party in the way that I had hoped".
This had been to the advantage of Mr Corbyn's campaign, added Mr Hain, who stepped down as an MP at the 2015 general election.This had been to the advantage of Mr Corbyn's campaign, added Mr Hain, who stepped down as an MP at the 2015 general election.
Labour leadership contestLabour leadership contest
At-a-glance profiles of the four contendersAt-a-glance profiles of the four contenders
He said: "Most party members feel underwhelmed by the choice that they have been offered. We have very able candidates, all four of them in their different ways.He said: "Most party members feel underwhelmed by the choice that they have been offered. We have very able candidates, all four of them in their different ways.
"I had been tending towards Andy and I am now going to vote for Yvette Cooper because I think she has been clear it wasn't the Labour deficit, it was the bankers who caused the economic crisis and all the debt and deficit and borrowing problems we had.""I had been tending towards Andy and I am now going to vote for Yvette Cooper because I think she has been clear it wasn't the Labour deficit, it was the bankers who caused the economic crisis and all the debt and deficit and borrowing problems we had."
Mr Hain said he believed Ms Cooper "can still win this election, but she has to really set this campaign alight in the next few days", warning that "there isn't much time left".Mr Hain said he believed Ms Cooper "can still win this election, but she has to really set this campaign alight in the next few days", warning that "there isn't much time left".
"It's going to require a big, big heave and a big effort from her," he added."It's going to require a big, big heave and a big effort from her," he added.
A spokesman for Ms Cooper's campaign said it was "fantastic" to have Mr Hain's support.
She said Ms Cooper had launched a "Putting People First" tour of the country to address as many Labour members and supporters as possible before voting in the leadership contest closes.
Wednesday is the deadline for those who want to register to vote in the contest, and ballot papers will be sent out on 14 August.Wednesday is the deadline for those who want to register to vote in the contest, and ballot papers will be sent out on 14 August.
The winner of the contest will be announced at a special conference on 12 September.The winner of the contest will be announced at a special conference on 12 September.