Gerry Sutcliffe has set the platform for why Education Secretary Alan Johnson has the credentials for Labour Party deputy leader.

Mr Sutcliffe spoke at the launch of Mr Johnson's campaign in Westminster yesterday, under the slogan "the people's choice".

Mr Sutcliffe, who has been heading the campaign since November, said: "Alan is the best person to unite the Party and appeal to ordinary men and women.

"It is important people can identify with the leadership of the Labour party. A Gordon Brown/Alan Johnson team will do that."

Mr Johnson, a former supermarket shelf stacker and postman who went on to become a union leader before becoming a Cabinet minister, said: "We need people like me."

Mr Johnson's campaign has strong Bradford ties, with former interim chief executive of Bradford Council Dave Kennedy running the Yorkshire base.

Last year Labour MP John Spellar called for the Labour Party to call off its deputy leadership contest saying a drawn-out £2 million contest to replace John Prescott was divisive and would drain much-needed campaign funds.

Mr Johnson is facing competition from Peter Hain, Harriet Harman and Hazel Blears, who have all declared their intention to stand and secured the 45 MPs nominations needed.

Nominations opened on Monday and will close tomorrow lunchtime.

There will be ten hustings events before the results are announced in Manchester on June 24 - including one in Bradford on May 27.