Darren Jones Says He Will Not Stand Against Andy Burnham For Labour Leadership
3 min read
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has said he will not be standing in a leadership contest for Labour leader, bringing Andy Burnham one step closer to No 10.
Speaking to Sky News, Jones claimed that he had the backing of enough MPs to run for Labour leader, but had decided not to challenge Burnham after being "reassured" over the former Manchester mayor's plans for economic policy.
Asked by Sky News if he was going to stand for Labour leader, Jones said: "I'm not".
PoliticsHome was the first to reveal in May that Jones had sparked suspicion among colleagues that he was quietly sounding out support for a future leadership bid of his own.
When asked this week if he had the 81 nominations necessary to allow him to stand in a contest, Jones said: "Well, there were definitely upwards of 100 MPs who have expressed concern, either around contest, or economic policy, or who were just feeling pretty depressed off the back of Keir Starmer resigning."
"Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister. And if there was a contest of Labour Party members, he would win. So the question for me is, well, what would the benefit be to the country and to the party of a leadership contest?"
Starmer announced on Monday that he would resign as PM this summer, triggering the process to replace him as leader, which could conclude as early as next month.
After winning a resounding victory in the Makerfield by-election last week, Burnham was sworn in as an MP on Monday and has confirmed his intention to stand as leader to replace Starmer.
PoliticsHome reported last week that Burnham would use his first day in Westminster to meet with Labour MPs with whom he does not have strong relationships, like those elected at the 2024 general election.
On Monday, former health secretary Wes Streeting, who had been expected to stand in any leadership contest, announced his support for Burnham. In a post on X, Streeting said: "We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our Party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too."
Jones, who is a key Starmer ally, told Sky News that he felt "disappointed" about the way the PM had been treated.
"I felt, in many ways, I felt a bit disappointed in the way that Keir has been treated," he said.
"But look, if you were to ask Keir that question, he's pretty pragmatic, too.
"He recognises this as the cut and thrust of politics. There's been no wrongdoing here."
