Gordon Brown appears to be the favoured candidate with district MPs to take over from Tony Blair as the future leadership of the Labour Party continues to dominate the talk at Westminster.

Local Government and Community Cohesion Minister Phil Woolas is heading the effort to smooth the turmoil surrounding the Labour Party amid fears many MPs could lose their seats unless the party gets its act together.

After a week of disarray and in-party backstabbing and fighting Mr Woolas is taking charge, along with the support of other middle-ranking Blairite ministers, to launch a "Blairite for Brown" campaign aimed at preserving party unity under the Chancellor.

Mr Woolas said: "At the moment it is early days and we will be announcing plans later this month. Our slogan is "Look forward not back". I am one of a number of junior ministers who are supporting Gordon and calling for unity.

"I hope there will be many more ministers and MPs supporting us from the modernising wing of the party to show that the differences between Tony and Gordon do not hide the fact there is a similarity in policy."

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh said although he had not yet been approached by Mr Woolas, he would pledge his support to the campaign.

He said: "Gordon Brown would be my candidate for the leadership. He has been the most successful Chancellor we have had in my time in politics and for a long time before that.

"He has the gravitas and leadership qualities to take the Party forward."

Keighley MP Ann Cryer agrees Mr Brown would be her chosen candidate, although she did not want to be seen as a "Blairite".

She said: "I can see what Phil Woolas is doing and I really like him but I do not think it quite fits the bill.

"At the moment I am very likely to vote for Gordon, so I support half of his aim - Brown but definitely not a Blairite."

Mr Woolas fears unless the Government unites, many seats could be lost at the next general election, which must be held by May 2010. He added: "I have always been a moderniser and in my judgement Gordon is a modernising candidate. His commitment to equality and abolishing poverty at home and abroad is not recent. I have known him for more than 20 years and it has always been his life's mission."

The move by Mr Woolas follows the Prime Minister telling his closest allies to stop attacking the Chancellor amid fears the row over his future and suitability to lead the country may harm Labour's chances of a fourth term in power.

Mr Blair last week confirmed he would leave office within 12 months but the continuing question being asked at Westminster was whether Mr Blair could last much longer, amid speculation the Labour conference later this month will see open warfare.

e-mail: newsdesk@bradford.newsquest.co.uk