Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain today confirmed his intention to seek the post of deputy leader of the British Labour Party.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain
Speaking to a fringe meeting at the Trade Union Congress conference in Brighton, Mr Hain said he has been encouraged to run by unions, MPs and rank-and-file party members.
He said he has been loyal to Prime Minister Tony Blair and would show the same commitment to Gordon Brown, whom "no one could or should beat" to the leadership.
He claimed he is best placed to reconnect the party with the government.
"I believe line one of the job description of the deputy leader is loyalty and I am proud to have been a loyal member of Tony Blair's cabinet even through very difficult times," he said.
The contest to replace Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is expected to take place next year when Mr Blair resigns from office.