Contenders for deputy PM take stand on Iraq

Just as criticism of the Iraq war is seen as an essential step to win the U.S. Democratic presidential nomination, the same goes for the contest for Britain's deputy prime minister.

Chancellor Gordon Brown looks a virtual shoo-in to succeed Tony Blair when he stands down this year but the No. 2 post is wide open and party hopefuls are jostling for position.

Would-be deputies who backed the 2003 invasion now sound humble and contrite as they accept the mistakes made in a war that has drastically eroded the government's popularity.

Brown has called for a new style of politics after Blair, pledging "frankness" in dealing with the United States and a greater emphasis on winning hearts and minds in the fight against terrorism.

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