Brown rebukes Left-leaning deputy candidates

The Chancellor told the six hopefuls who appeared alongside him at a hustings that under his Government there would be "no retreat to soft options"

His warning came as he tried to counter Tory claims that David Cameron was the "natural heir to Blair" on public service reform.

With whoever wins the deputy race now certain to become Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Brown made clear he was concerned a string of "off message" announcements by contenders risked Cabinet unity.

The Chancellor has been frustrated by recent public U-turns by ministers.

Harriet Harman called for the decision to renew Trident nuclear weapons to be reviewed, despite her recent vote for the plan. She also had a change of mind on the war in Iraq.

Peter Hain has attacked City bonuses, Alan Johnson has backed calls for an amnesty for illegal immigrants, while Hilary Benn has said Labour should be proud of its "socialist values".

Mr Brown said the party could only win at the next elections if it stuck to the centre ground.

"There will be no retreat to the soft options, the narrow politics or the failed policies of the past.

"No retreat from essential reforms of our public services," he said.

Hazel Blears said today that far from backing more punitive taxation for the rich, she wanted tax breaks to make it easier for them to give to charity.

Ms Blears said generous incentives would encourage investment by high earners in sport and the arts.

Mr Brown was also irritated at a union hustings last week that three contenders spoke out against the closure of Remploy factories which employ disabled people.

One senior minister said the candidates were "out of control" and helping David Cameron portray the party as shifting to the Left.

It was time for "Gordon to rein them in", the minister said.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne said yesterday that the deputy race was proof Labour was abandoning Blairite reform.