And before the NEC rejected Mr Livingstone's application to rejoin, John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, was equally severe, accusing him of telling "a tissue of lies" about his intention not to run as an independent.But with Labour facing the humiliating prospect of fourth behind Mr Livingstone, the Liberal Democrats and the Tories, Downing Street has listened to pressure from the capital's MPs. I think both the Prime Minister and myself recognise we are not going to change each other. We have learnt to accept each other."If I'm the Labour candidate [for Mayor] next summer, it won't mean I'm supporting the war against Iraq and it won't mean he supports everything I say about President Bush. In a grown-up world, you've just got to accept the fact that politicians don't all believe the same thing."When Mr Livingstone stood as an independent against Labour's Frank Dobson in the 2000 mayoral election, Mr Blair was scathing about his past connection to the "loony left" in the capital. The NEC narrowly voted against allowing him to rejoin last year.The former GLC leader, who was expelled for five years when he decided to stand as an independent in the 2000 mayoral race, may even get the key support of Nicky Gavron, Labour's current official candidate. Ms Gavron believes her support is holding up but many expect her to finish fourth.

If she can be given the job of deputy mayor - a position appointed by the Mayor - with a wide remit over policy, she may step aside.In a further boost to the Mayor, sources close to Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, dismissed speculation that he was actively seeking to block Mr Livingstone's return. Labour MPs who had previously opposed Mr Livingstone's return, including former Parliamentary Labour Party chairman Clive Soley, are also reconsidering.Mr Soley told The World At One on BBC Radio 4: "Given the way he has moved and the way he's changed, I'm prepared to make that work It's not easy. There's an element of saying it is not ideal, but maybe on probation or whatever."Under the plan, Mr Livingstone would not need to make a fresh application to rejoin the party - a detail that itself may be open to legal challenge. Instead, the NEC would formally invite him to rejoin.Mr Livingstone told BBC London yesterday: "Until it is sources in Number 10, until the tall man with the smile sings, it isn't over If I'm offered it, I'll take it. But Mr Livingstone insisted any such move would not stop him from speaking out on issues such as Iraq. The Prime Minister is understood to have agreed in principle to explore ways of getting Mr Livingstone on board well before next June's London mayoral election. Ian McCartney, the party chairman, has been asked to look at allowing the national executive committee (NEC) to invite Mr Livingstone to rejoin before the end of the year.

Ken Livingstone could rejoin the Labour Party within weeks under a plan approved by Tony Blair. The New Labour project was run by a cabal ­ including Mr Blair, Gordon Brown, Alastair Campbell and the pollster Philip Gould ­ who took key decisions and bypassed official structures such as the Shadow Cabinet and Labour's national executive committee. Mr Howard would dearly love to be as successful as Mr Blair was.. Good media performers such as David Davis, Oliver Letwin and Tim Yeo are expected to dominate the airwaves on a wide range of issues. The junior members of their teams will shadow ministers, appearing at various Commons question times and mastering policy. But the Shadow Cabinet will deliver the key media soundbites on the main election issues of health, education, crime, transport, pensions and the economy.Mr Howard's smaller, more focused team perhaps owes something to Tony Blair's approach when he became Leader of the Opposition in 1994.