Brown close to Labour leadership

Updated 23.42 Wed May 16 2007

Keywords: Prime Minister, John McDonnell, Labour, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown

Gordon Brown has moved a step closer to becoming the next Labour leader, with 307 nominations from his fellow MPs.

In the latest figures announced by the party, the number of nominations for the Chancellor had risen by 25 over 24 hours.

John McDonnell has 29 nominations but needs 45 to secure a place on the ballot paper

His only serious rival John McDonnell had 29 nominations, but needs 45 to secure a place on the ballot paper for the selection of Tony Blair's successor.

Nominations close at 12.30pm on Thursday and if Mr McDonnell does not receive 45 nominations by then, Mr Brown will be guaranteed to become Mr Blair's successor without a contest.

Meanwhile, backbencher Andrew Mackinlay's office has said he will formally nominate the Chancellor, giving him the 308 nominations needed to go through unopposed.

There are 353 Labour MPs eligible to nominate, but deputy speaker Sylvia Heal will not nominate either contender, so Mr Mackinlay's nomination will end any chance of a contest.

In the contest to become the Labour Party's deputy leader, Alan Johnson has 70 nominations, Harriet Harman 63, Peter Hain 50, Hazel Blears 49, John Cruddas 46 and Hilary Benn 42.