Brown unopposed as next UK premier
Chancellor’s only challenger for Labour party’s leadership fails to get enough votes.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Major speech
Brown will lay out his policies at 10 campaign-style “hustings” around Britain over the next few weeks followed by a major speech at a Labour party conference on June 24.
A deputy leadership contest is being held in parallel, after John Prescott, the incumbent, announced that he would step down at the same time as Blair.
Five of the six candidates have already secured more than the 45 nominations while Hilary Benn, the international development secretary, is only three nominations short.
Results for both leadership contests are due to be formally announced at a conference on June 24.