Meacher challenges Brown for UK Labour leadership

LONDON, Feb 22 (Reuters) Left-leaning former minister Michael Meacher said today he would challenge Finance Minister Gordon Brown for the leadership of Britain's ruling Labour Party when Prime Minister Tony Blair steps down.

Meacher, 67, is the second member of parliament to say he will run against Brown, regarded as virtually unassailable favourite to succeed Blair as party leader and prime minister when he leaves after a decade in office, probably in July.

His announcement prompted speculation that a more heavyweight contender might yet emerge to challenge Brown.

Blair, 53, has given only a lukewarm endorsement to Brown, his close colleague and longtime rival, leading some commentators to believe he is wary of entrusting his legacy to him and may prefer an alternative.

Meacher sketched a left-wing platform at his campaign launch, including ending Britain's ''subservience'' to the United States, narrowing the gap between the highest and lowest paid and taking tough action against climate change.

Meacher opposes many of the centrist ''New Labour'' policies that brought Blair three consecutive general election victories.

He opposes the government's decision to order new nuclear weapons to replace the ageing Trident system and says he would re-nationalise Britain's privatised railway network.

''The important thing is that there is a debate on a different direction of travel (for the Labour Party),'' he said.

A veteran politician and former environment minister under Blair, Meacher is better known than the other challenger, left-wing member of parliament, John McDonnell, but political analysts say he does not pose a threat to Brown.

BROWN SAID TO WELCOME CONTEST Most ministers tipped as possible candidates, such as Environment Secretary David Miliband, say they will not run.

Interior Minister John Reid has not ruled himself out, but commentators believe embarrassing stories about incompetence in his department have killed his chance of mounting a challenge.

Many Labour Party members have called for a leadership contest, rather than a coronation of Brown, because it will allow a debate and force Brown to define his policies.

''We've always made clear we would welcome a contest,'' said a close ally of the 56-year-old Brown.

Patrick Dunleavy, politics professor at the London School of Economics, said Meacher would ''push Brown to put a marker down for the end of the Blair government, to articulate what he wants to do about the environment (and) voting system reform.'' Meacher's entry could split the left-wing vote.

McDonnell said he had asked Meacher to join his campaign but he had chosen not to. ''Now let's have the debate on policies and the election and let the members decide,'' he said.

Meacher said he was confident he had the backing of the 44 members of parliament needed to get on the ballot in a leadership contest, which he said might still be three or four months away.

Labour members of parliament, all party members and members of trade unions affiliated to the party all have a say in the choice of a new party leader.

REUTERS SAM BD2237