Clarke backs Brown as Labour leader

12 April 2012

Former Cabinet minister Charles Clarke has said he expects to vote for Gordon Brown for leader of the Labour Party and hopes that he will succeed Tony Blair.

Mr Clarke declined to rule himself out of a bid for the leadership, but said it was "very unlikely" he would throw his hat into the ring.

The former Home Secretary's public declaration of support for Mr Brown as Mr Blair's successor comes just two months after he branded the Chancellor a "deluded control freak" with psychological issues.

He insisted he had always believed Mr Brown would make a "very good" Prime Minister, but said it was vital for him to show he could work with colleagues and to set out a vision of Britain's future to inspire voters.

Asked on BBC One's Question Time who he wanted as next Labour leader, Mr Clarke said: "I can tell you what I expect to see. I expect to see Gordon Brown as the next leader of the Labour Party."

Asked whether this meant he had given up any plans to stand as a candidate to succeed Mr Blair, he replied: "It is very unlikely, as I have just said on this programme, and on many occasions before, that I expect Gordon to be the leader, I expect to vote for him and support him.

"But I never rule out any particular circumstances. Whenever it happens - May, June next year, whenever it is - I will look at the situation then and see how it is.

"But I expect Gordon will be the candidate, will be supported and will be a good Prime Minister."

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