Brown may bring in written constitution

Gordon Brown may introduce Britain's first written constitution in an attempt to restore people's trust in politics after the departure of Tony Blair.

The Chancellor, who will launch his campaign for the Labour leadership today, will promise to make constitutional reform a priority. He wants to bring in a "new politics" as he tries to repair the damage after Mr Blair was accused of taking Britain to war in Iraq on a false prospectus.

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A written constitution could spell out the respective powers of the Government and Parliament, boosting the ability of the Commons to hold ministers to account and, for example, being guaranteed a vote before military action. The blueprint could also outline the rights and responsibilities of individual citizens.

A clue to Mr Brown's thinking came when his campaign manager, Jack Straw, who has previously opposed a written constitution, revealed that he now supported one. The Leader of the Commons said Labour's reforms over the past 10 years had enshrined parts of the constitution but that joining up the dots was "something we have to do". He told a seminar held by the Brownite think-tank, the Smith Institute: "I have changed my mind." He also said the idea of a people's convention to draw up a constitution was "rather exciting".

Reformers welcomed Mr Straw's conversion and believe Mr Brown will act. Anthony Barnett, founder of the OpenDemocracy.net website, said: "The true unfinished business of New Labour as a modernising force is to give this country the democratic constitution that Blair wanted to give the rest of the world but didn't want to have constricting his freedom of action at home."

Mr Brown, who already has the support of 200 Labour MPs, will say today that he would welcome a contest for the leadership. He has invited potential candidates to debate with him at a Fabian Society hustings meeting on Sunday. But there are signs that he could win it unopposed through a "coronation".

Two left-wing rivals, John McDonnell and Michael Meacher, claimed that between them they have the necessary 45 nominations from Labour MPs to prevent a "shoo-in" for Mr Brown. They met yesterday but failed to agree who should stand down, postponing a decision until Monday. They will spend the weekend trying to boost their nominations to produce a candidate for the left.

Mr McDonnell, the chairman of the left-wing Campaign Group of Labour MPs, said: "We have gone through all the names together and it was too close to call but the good news is there is sufficient support there between us to get on the ballot."

The main battle will be over the deputy leadership. Peter Hain and Harriet Harman both announced they had secured enough nominations to throw their hats into the ring, following John Prescott's announcement that he is retiring as deputy leader with Tony Blair. The campaign teams for Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, and Jon Cruddas, the Labour MP for Dagenham, also said their candidates can muster the 45 nominations to run for the deputy leadership. That leaves Hazel Blears, the party chairman, and Hilary Benn, the bookies' favourite, still to get on to the ballot paper.

The Commons lobbies were filled with the campaign teams, canvassing MPs for their votes.

Ms Harman, the Constitutional Affairs minister, and a former civil rights lawyer, is mounting a strong challenge for the women's vote among Labour MPs. She is also winning the backing of Brown supporters who believe she could form part of a "dream ticket" with Mr Brown to win over Middle England voters at the next election. Her supporters include the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, Vera Baird, Karen Buck, and the Housing minister, Yvette Cooper, who is married to Ed Balls, a close ally of the Chancellor.