Call for no opposition to Brown

Mr Blair's retirement was 'not imminent', Mr Hoon said

Geoff Hoon has said he hopes Gordon Brown will be elected Labour leader without opposition when Prime Minister Tony Blair stands down.

There was no urgency for Mr Blair to hand over the reins, the Commons leader told ITV1's Jonathan Dimbleby show.

But the chancellor should be given time to establish himself as PM before the next general election, he said.

His comments came amid speculation that former health secretary Alan Milburn would consider standing as a leader.

I don't believe he has decided yet, nor do I believe that there is any urgency about that hand over. It is clearly not imminent Geoff Hoon

Mr Blair had a right to deliver on Labour's manifesto commitments and would decide himself when the time was right to stand down, Mr Hoon said.

"It will be a matter that ultimately Tony Blair as prime minister will have to decide.

"I don't believe he has decided yet, nor do I believe that there is any urgency about that handover. It is clearly not imminent."

At the same time, he said he recognised that Mr Brown would be Mr Blair's successor and that "most people have recognised that for some time".

"He deserves the opportunity of establishing himself in the position as the leader of the Labour Party and as prime minister before he fights another general election."

No hint

Even if Mr Brown went unchallenged for the leadership "there would still have to be a process", he said.

"It is a process that is governed by Labour Party and ultimately, of course, it is a constitutional process because Gordon Brown would have to show that he commands a majority of the House of Commons."

Given Labour's majority, Mr Brown would probably achieve that, he added.

Last week, in his Labour Party conference speech, Mr Blair did not hint at a date for his retirement, which he says will be before the next election, but he heaped praise on Mr Brown's record as chancellor.

Ahead of his speech, wife Cherie laughed off suggestions she would soon miss her role as prime minister's spouse, telling the BBC: "Darling that is a long way in the future. It is too far ahead for me to even think about."