The race to succeed John Prescott as Britain's deputy prime minister broadened today when left-wing MP Jon Cruddas threw his hat into the ring.
Mr Cruddas said he wanted to re-engage many natural Labour Party supporters who had been alienated by Prime Minister Tony Blair's policies.
"The Labour Party has lost its way. I am standing to be deputy leader because change is desperately needed," he said in a statement.
"The party is not in a fit state to fight the next general election. It's time to rebuild our party from the bottom up."
Mr Blair's long-standing deputy Prescott is widely expected to step down when the prime minister leaves.
Mr Blair was forced recently to say he would resign within a year to stem a revolt by supporters of heir-apparent Gordon Brown.
Mr Cruddas (44) who has been MP for Dagenham since 2001, faces an uphill struggle to beat better known contenders for the deputy post.
Jack Straw, former foreign secretary and now the government's leader in the House of Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman have also said they will stand when the vacancy arises.
Home Secretary John Reid and Education Secretary Alan Johnson may also stand although they have yet to rule out putting themselves forward for Mr Blair's job.