Brown to win UK Labour leadership unopposed UPDATE |
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Thu, 17 May 2007 09:32
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(Adds quote from McDonnell, nomination figures for deputy leadership)LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown will become the governing Labour Party's next leader, and therefore Britain's next prime minister without facing a challenge from within his party.Brown's only potential challenger, left-wing MP John McDonnell, conceded last night it was 'mathematically impossible' for him to get his name on the ballot paper for the party's leadership.As a result, Brown will be officially named Labour's leader on June 24, and will take over from Blair as prime minister on June 27.The latest update on Labour's website showed Brown had the backing of 307 Labour MPs, two short of the required 309 to ensure he is the only candidate.But one MP has subsequently said he would back Brown, while another said she would not nominate either candidate, meaning McDonnell cannot secure the 45 nominations required to challenge.McDonnell said he was disappointed party members would be denied 'an opportunity of participating in a democratic election for the leader of this party'.Brown, who said he welcomed a challenge, made sure one would not eventuate by personally calling many MPs asking them to back him. Meanwhile, the deputy leadership race is expected to have six contenders.International Development Secretary Hilary Benn is believed to have enough signatures, although official figures show he has 42.London MP Jonn Cruddas has 46 signatures, while the other challengers for the deputy's job are Cabinet ministers Hazel Blears with 49, Peter Hain with 50, Harriet Harman with 63, and Alan Johnson with 70.tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.comafp/cw/fp/amCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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Brown to win UK Labour leadership unopposed 