JOHNSON EMERGES AS CLEAR FAVOURITE

Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson has emerged as the clear favourite in the race to become Labour's new deputy leader. The current deputy leader of the Labour Party and Hull East MP John Prescott has thrown his weight behind Mr Johnson to take over his position. Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is to succeed Tony Blair as Labour leader and Prime Minister is also backing Alan Johnson, as is Economic Secretary Ed Balls, and Environment Secretary David Miliband. Hull North MP Diana Johnson who supported Gordon Brown for leader of the Labour party and Prime Minister, has also come out in support of Alan Johnson. More than 60 MPs are backing his challenge for the role, as are 10 MEPs - more than half the party's total - and 53 peers are supporting his bid.

Although Alan Johnson launched his campaign under the slogan "the people's choice", that may well be a bit presumptious, for example, "Alan Who???????" asks John Hull, of Hull, and "Do we really want another MP that does nothing to promote the City of Hull just themselves, like Prescott did (I,m alright Jack) NO THANKS" says a Council Employee, Kingston upon Hull.

Justice Minister Harriet Harman, has said, because the next leader and Prime Minister is a man, the next deputy leader should be a woman. And, she believes that she is the next Margaret Thatcher who she models her self on. However, Mr Johnson said he had many female backers. He said: "Most people, including the women who are standing and who are very talented women, want to be elected on the basis of their ability, not on the basis of their gender". Perhaps, Hilary Benn should win because he is a man with a woman's name?