London, Feb 22(IRNA)
Former Environment Secretary Michael Meacher revealed Thursday that he will challenge Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to replace Tony Blair when he steps down from power later this year.
Meacher, who has been one of the government's most vocal critics since leaving Blair's cabinet in 2003, told the BBC he is confident he can get the backing of 44 Labor MPs that are needed to secure nomination to stand against Brown.
His entry makes it almost certain that there will be a contested election to become leader of the ruling Labor Party, when the prime minister announces his retirement date before September.
Previously it was thought that Brown would be elected uncontested given that he has been Blair's designated successor since he won his first general election victory back in 1997,
Backbench MP John McDonnell had been the only other candidate to announce his intention to stand against Brown, but doubts have remained whether he will be able to secure enough support from his colleague to win nomination.
Meacher is an ardent left-winger and at the age of 68, is one of Labor's longest-serving MPs, being first elected to parliament back in 1970.
Speculation has been that a senior figure close to Blair's right- wing policies could still mount a leadership bid, with Home Secretary John Reid and the current Environment Secretary David Miliband as possible candidates.
In contrast, five candidates have already declared their ambitions to become deputy Labor leader to replace Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who has stated he will also stand down when Blair resigns.
These include Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, former Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman and backbench MP John Cruddas.