Brown confirmed as next British PM

Gordon Brown was confirmed as Labour's leader-in-waiting and Britain's next Prime Minister today, after winning overwhelming backing from MPs.

The Chancellor received an unstoppable 313 nominations from the 353-strong Parliamentary Party, making it impossible for left-wing hopeful John McDonnell to reach the final ballot.

Mr McDonnell conceded defeat last night ahead of the close of nominations at 12.30pm today, accepting that he could not achieve the 45 needed.

Meanwhile, all six contenders for the deputy leadership made it through to the next stage.

International Development Secretary Hilary Benn received 47 nominations, Party Chairwoman Hazel Blears 49, backbencher Jon Cruddas 49, Northern Secretary Peter Hain 51; Justice Minister Harriet Harman 65, and Education Secretary Alan Johnson 73.

Labour's general secretary Peter Watt said candidates were now invited to formally accept their nominations by noon tomorrow.

"The first part of our process of electing a new leader is for a candidate to demonstrate support from their colleagues in Parliament," he went on.

"All nominated candidates will be attending Labour Party hustings around the country over the coming weeks. All candidates are therefore required to attend those meetings.

"The contest is doing great credit to the Labour Party and each of the candidates involved.

"I am confident the contest will continue in this spirit - a contest which is engaging, a contest that is reaching out to members certainly but critically is reaching out to the British people."

Ballots will be sent out from June 1, with the contest closing on Friday June 22.

Two days later, at a special leadership conference in Manchester, the new leader and deputy leader will be announced.

Labour chief whip Jacqui Smith said government business would continue as usual while the contest played out.

"Labour's rules are clear: to be a candidate you need to be able to demonstrate significant support from your fellow MPs," she said.

"I am delighted that my fellow Labour MPs have overwhelmingly united around Gordon as the candidate to take Britain forwards when Tony Blair steps down.

"The outcome of the nominations process has, I believe, reflected the views of the Labour Party across the country.

"We now move on to the next stage of our leadership elections, with Gordon Brown and the six deputy leadership candidates engaging with and listening to the country, starting on Sunday at our first hustings in Coventry.

"Party members will be delighted, as I am, that in around five weeks time Britain's most successful Chancellor ever becomes Party leader.

"Meanwhile the business of government continues. We have said throughout this contest that the British people come first, and we continue to govern in the interests of the whole country."

Even though he is the sole leadership candidate, Mr Brown will appear at hustings around the country alongside the deputy leadership hopefuls over the coming weeks.

The final ballot will be held in Manchester on June 24, with Mr Brown due formally to take over from Tony Blair as British Prime Minister on June 27.