The two potential challengers to Gordon Brown for the Labour Party leadership decided on Monday to join forces in a bid to ensure there is a contest to succeed Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Left-wing Labour MP Michael Meacher agreed to stand aside in favour of fellow left-winger John McDonnell after both struggled to get the 45 nominations necessary to make it on to the ballot.
”I welcome Michael’s friendly decision. We are now working together to appeal to all Labour MPs to ensure an election takes place to enable every Labour Party member to participate in deciding the future of our party,” McDonnell said.
It still remains for McDonnell to confirm he has enough backers to enter the running.
Meacher’s move came as nominations opened for the contest. They close on Thursday at 12.30pm.
So far, Chancellor Brown is the only contender guaranteed of a place in the race, which was triggered by Blair’s announcement last week that he would resign on June 27.
Brown (56), who has been waiting in the wings to succeed Blair for years, is already well into his stride as the race’s hot favourite, appearing more at ease and comfortable with himself now that Blair is finally stepping aside.
In a debate with Meacher and McDonnell on Sunday, Brown portrayed his potential opponents as representatives of the old Labour policies of tax-and-spend, which proved its downfall in the 1980s.
Brown has also unveiled a number of policies including plans for new environmentally friendly homes.
Environment Minister David Miliband, who himself had been tipped as a potential leadership candidate, praised Brown on Monday.
”The more people get to see of Gordon the more they will respect him,” he told journalists.
”I think they will like his politics and the way he leads. I think they will like and respect him more. I think it is an opportunity … a big chance and people will come to appreciate [his] vision and values,” he added.
There are six potential candidates for deputy leader and that race looks like a close contest.
Once the list of candidates is finalised, there will be 10 hustings across Britain. Results of the ballot will be announced at a Labour conference in Manchester on June 24, three days before Blair has said he will resign. — Reuters