<p><br /> Former health secretary Andy Burnham seems set to become the fifth contender in the race to succeed Gordon Brown as Labour leader, after Ed Balls and John McDonnell confirmed that they are to stand.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Burnham, who had been widely tipped to run, is expected to formally declare his candidacy on Thursday.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Balls, one of Mr Brown's closest political allies, said the former PM had wished him luck but would not be supporting any candidate.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Gordon should stand completely neutral in this and I am sure he will," he said - revealing that he told him at the weekend he would be standing.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Balls refused to join criticism of the timetable for the election - which gives hopefuls only until next Thursday to collect the required 33 nominations from MPs.<br /> </p><p><br /> But Mr McDonnell - who confirmed his bid at the annual conference of the Public and Commercial Services Union in Brighton - dismissed it as a "stitch-up".<br /> </p><p><br /> The backbencher tried in vain to get himself on the ballot paper to force a contest when Mr Brown succeeded Tony Blair in 2007 and said it would be "really difficult" for him again.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I do not know what problem New Labour has with democracy," he said - suggesting the party would end up with a choice between "the sons of Blair and the son of Brown".<br /> </p><p><br /> The other two contenders, David Miliband and his brother Ed - the former foreign and energy secretaries - announced they would be running last week.<br /> </p>
