BRITAIN: Potential leadership contender Alan Johnson (56) has warned Britain's ruling party that "self-indulgence" and "macho politics" in the race to succeed prime minister Tony Blair could result in Labour's "self-destruction".
In a speech widely regarded as signalling his interest in a leadership bid, Mr Johnson appeared to rebuke former home secretary Charles Clarke's outspoken attacks on front-runner Gordon Brown. Calling for an "honest, measured and comradely" debate to help ensure a fourth Labour term in power, Mr Johnson insisted: "There must be no resort to personal attacks, either now or at any stage of the eventual transition process."
However, that was coupled with a barely coded message for the chancellor, widely believed by Blair loyalists to have been heavily implicated in last week's unsuccessful attempt to force a timetable for the prime minister's departure from Downing Street by Christmas.
Echoing Mr Blair's apology to the British public, Mr Johnson said last week's events had not been Labour's "finest hour". He warned: "We must ensure that the self-indulgence of what was literally macho politics does not escalate into self-destruction."
The former trade union leader has already indicated he will seek the post of deputy leader when John Prescott finally stands down.
But with the bookmakers already making him second- favourite for the leadership behind Mr Brown, Mr Johnson looks more likely than home secretary John Reid or his predecessor Mr Clarke to provide the serious contest favoured by Blair loyalists determined to prevent Mr Brown's "coronation".
Some sources close to Mr Blair still do not entirely discount the possibility of the party "skipping a generation" in favour of environment secretary David Miliband, although he has declared for Mr Brown and ruled himself out of the race for deputy leader.
Interest in that contest, meanwhile, was kept alive yesterday when Harriet Harman - believed to be Mr Brown's preferred candidate - again made the case for a woman deputy, while still declining to confirm that she would join the growing list of runners. Northern Ireland and Welsh secretary Peter Hain confirmed his candidacy on Tuesday.
In addition to Mr Johnson, Commons leader Jack Straw is also believed to be tempted to throw his hat in the ring.
In a speech to the Social Market Foundation otherwise devoted to educational opportunity, Mr Johnson insisted Labour did not suffer from the ideological debates of the 1980s or early 1990s over issues such as the old Clause IV constitutional commitment to nationalisation and public ownership.
Calling for debate on the "enormous challenges" ahead - responding to globalisation, healing continuing social and religious divisions, as well as dealing with entrenched poverty and spreading opportunity - he said: "There's no need to turn the clock back, cover old ground or seek refuge in entrenched positions. Similarly, we mustn't stymie debate or close down new ideas."