BBC News: Reid to challenge Brown for Labour Leadership
25th May 2007
BBC - It has emerged tonight that Home Secretary John Reid will challenge the Chancellor Gordon Brown for the Leadership of the Labour Party, as a Blairite candidate, to fill the vacancy being left by Tony Blair, who retires on the 27th June. The Home Secretary's decision was immediately backed by Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, former Deputy Leader and Acting Leader when John Smith died in 1994 and Environment Secretary David Miliband who himself was seen as a challenger to the Chancellor.
Prominent Brownite, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said "Mr Reid is doing what he feels is right but many feel Gordon is right for the country"
No official comment has been made from Mr Reid yet.
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YouGov Poll
Taken: 27th May 2007
Sample: 5,000 Labour Party Members
"Who would you support to be the next Labour Leader"
Gordon Brown - 43%
John Reid - 36%
Other - 10%
Undecided - 11%
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