sentences:  On 22 February he became the third Labour MP to announce his intention to stand for the leadership, although critics in the media expressed doubt over the extent of backbench support for either challenger at this point.On 2 March, Jack Straw casually declined to run for the leadership after reports that someone had placed a £500 bet on his winning.On 20 March, the Labour Party NEC met to decide on rules for the upcoming leadership elections.