John McDonnell and Michael Meacher have both now declared their intention to stand against Gordon Brown in the Labour

leadership election and try to make it more of a contest than a coronation.

John McDonnell will be in Liverpool on Friday where he will be speaking at

a public meeting to debate the coming election.

Details : Friday 2nd March at 7 p.m. at the Vines Public House, Lime Street.

Other speakers

include: Colin Smith Regional Organiser ASLEF, John Tilley, Regional Organiser RMT, Caroline Jones, Director of the Institute of Employment Rights and Mark

Holt from Merseyside Stop the War Coalition.

Liverpool left-winger goes head-to-head with Brown
May 15 2007
by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

THE son of a Liverpool docker who was brought up in the city’s Scotland Road area was last night projected on to the national political stage.

John McDonnell is bidding to go head to head in a two-way fight with Gordon Brown to determine the next Prime Minister.

Providing he can win the backing of 45 MPs, Mr McDonnell will fight for the job. This follows a decision by rival Michael Meacher to drop out – and to urge his supporters to get behind McDonnell, who is likely to be the only challenger for Gordon Brown.

People may see the challenge as a way of ensuring that the Chancellor does not flit from Number 11 Downing Street to the house next door by way of a coronation.

McDonnell, a left-wing opponent of Tony Blair, will work at the party’s grass-roots level to generate support in his campaign to become the next Prime Minister.

Story continues (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=liverpool-left%2Dwinger-goes-head%2Dto%2Dhead-with-brown%26method=full%26objectid=19104348%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html)...

http://www.john4leader.org.uk/images/another-world-is-possible.jpg (http://www.john4leader.org.uk/)
www.john4leader.org.uk (http://www.john4leader.org.uk/)

Brown rival faces race for support
May 16 2007

Gordon Brown's left-wing challenger faces a race against time on Wednesday to secure enough support to prevent the Chancellor's virtual coronation as Labour leader this week.

John McDonnell must find another 18 nominations from Labour MPs by lunchtime on Thursday to ensure his name is on the ballot paper.

His failure to secure enough support will leave Mr Brown with no opponent in the leadership contest before the hustings and voting have even got under way.

It emerged on Tuesday night that 282 of Labour's 354 MPs had nominated the Chancellor for the Labour leadership.

Mr McDonnell, chairman of the Socialist Campaign Group (http://www.scgn.org.uk/) of Labour MPs, boasted the nominations of just 27 MPs, the first official indication of support showed.

Story continues (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/ukworldnews/tm_headline=brown-rival-faces-race-for-support%26method=full%26objectid=19111607%26siteid =50061-name_page.html#story_continue)...

Yes, unfortunately it looks as though there won't now be a leadership contest. Shame on the Labour MPs for not allowing the party the opportunity to make a democratic choice.

Brown is set for No.10 as rival falls at the first hurdle
May 17 2007
by Gavin Cordon, Liverpool Daily Post

GORDON BROWN was last night on the brink of claiming the Labour crown after left-winger John McDonnell conceded defeat in the leadership contest.

The Chancellor is set to be elected unopposed after Mr McDonnell – the only potential challenger – accepted that he could not get the 45 nominations needed to secure a place on the ballot paper.

Mr Brown’s victory was assured when the office of Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay said that he would formally nominate Mr Brown today, ensuring he got the 308 tally needed to avoid a contest.

In a statement, Mr McDonnell expressed disappointment that Labour Party members would not now have a chance of voicing their views in an election.

“Naturally I congratulate Gordon and wish him every success in Government, but it is a great shame that Labour Party members will now not be allowed a vote on the leader of their party or the party’s future direction.”

Story continues (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=brown-is-set-for-no%2D10-as-rival-falls-at-the-first-hurdle%26method=full%26objectid=19115749%26siteid= 50061-name_page.html#story_continue)...