Blair's reign to end on June 24

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His successor - almost certainly Gordon Brown - will be announced at a special leadership conference in Manchester.

The successful candidate to replace John Prescott as the party's deputy leader will also be announced at that conference.

Nominations for both positions will open on Monday. Candidates need the backing of 44 fellow MPs to secure a place on the ballot paper.

The closing date for nominations will be Thursday May 17, and successful candidates will then take part in a series of hustings across the country.

Mr Blair will not resign as Prime Minister until June 27, so there will be a period where he is in power but not leader of the Labour Party.

The leader and deputy leader will be elected by an electoral college consisting of party members, unions and MPs in Westminster and Europe.

After the timetable for the elections was formalised by the party's National Executive Committee, Labour Chief whip Jacqui Smith said she hoped for a contest fought in a "spirit of friendship and openness".

She said: "This will be the first time in our history that the party as a whole is electing not only a new leadership team, but also a party leader who will become Prime Minister. We understand fully the responsibility and the honour which is placed in our hands."

During the contest, she said, the party will "take seriously" the fact it is still responsible for governing the country.