Labour needs renewal, says Hain

Peter Hain became MP for the south Wales seat of Neath in 1991

Labour deputy leadership candidate Peter Hain says the party needs "real renewal" and to "rebuild trust".

The Wales and Northern Ireland secretary has launched a website in his campaign to become the Labour Party's next deputy leader.

Hain4Labour features him being interviewed by Labour-supporting actor Richard Wilson, currently playing a Tory chief whip in the West End.

Mr Hain said 32 MPs had publicly backed him, more than any other contender.

Mr Wilson, best known for playing Victor Meldrew in the BBC's One Foot in the Grave, said he thought Mr Hain would make a good deputy to Gordon Brown, who is expected to take over as prime minister from Tony Blair.

"In meeting him over the years he has always been ready to listen to what I and other people had to say and, if I may say, give good answers" he said.

He added: "I think the party needs a bit of gravitas now and I think a Gordon Brown and Peter Hain team can provide that."

Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave

Five other MPs have confirmed they will run for the deputy leader's job to replace John Prescott, who will stand down with Mr Blair.

They include four other cabinet ministers - Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Hazel Blears, Alan Johnson - and one backbencher, Jon Cruddas.

Mr Hain said: "People are supporting me... because they believe it is very important to rebuild trust and because they need a campaigning candidate."

He added: "As I've shown in all the jobs I've done, whether it is getting though the Government of Wales Act with Welsh Labour united behind it or in Northern Ireland that we can bring people together and listen to people."

Mr Blair is expected to announce his retirement as prime minister after the Welsh assembly and Scottish Parliament elections on 3 May.

There will then be a seven-week contest for the position of Labour leader and deputy leader, the BBC understands.