Cruddas joins deputy race

Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas has become the latest candidate to enter the race to be Labour's next deputy leader.

The former Downing Street adviser announced at the party's annual conference in Manchester on Wednesday that he would stand.

The contest to replace John Prescott is expected next year.

Alan Johnson, Peter Hain and Harriet Harman have already said they want to succeed the deputy prime minister, while other senior figures including Jack Straw are expected to announce their candidacies when a vacancy arises.

However Cruddas is the first backbencher to throw his hat into the ring, and the only contender who wants the post not to come with a cabinet seat.

With strong working class and trade union credentials, having worked for two general secretaries and as Tony Blair's link man with the labour movement, he wants to use the post to rebuild grassroots activism and act as the party's voice.

"The Labour Party has lost its way," he told the BBC. "I am standing to be deputy leader because change is desperately needed.

"As we stand, the party is not in a fit state to fight the next general election. It's time to rebuild our party from the bottom up.

"Reaching out to our people doesn't mean coming up with better soundbites and spin, it means coming up with better policies.

"We need to reaffirm our belief in collective action - through local communities, through public services, through strong and effective trade unions... It's time to reach out again to our natural supporters, written off for too long."