Andy Burnham’s last potential rival Al Carns rules out leadership bid
Former Defense Secretary Al Carns has said he will not support the Labor leadership and urged his party to stand behind Andy Burnham.
He told Sky News that the leadership contest was “not the best use of Labour’s time” and that in his view “we have to agree” with Burnham.
Carns’ decision means Burnham is the only Labor MP to announce her intention to run for the Labor leadership following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister last month.
Earlier this week Carns said he could not support Burnham until he sees more details about the government plan.
But Carns said after speaking to Burnham on Tuesday he concluded the Makerfield MP “will make the right decisions and move the country forward”.
Burnham is expected to become the next Labor leader and prime minister later this month.
The process to elect a new Labor leader begins on Thursday, when MPs’ nomination window opens.
In order for leadership candidates to be elected, 20% (81) of the party’s MPs must nominate a candidate.
They must also be nominated by at least three of the 31 socialist associations and unions affiliated with the party, or 5% of the Labor Parties (CLPs) in the constituency.
Since there are 403 Labor MPs, it is mathematically impossible for anyone else to run if Burnham has 323 nominations.
In this scenario, Burnham could become Labor leader by 17 July and take office as prime minister three days later, on 20 July, to allow time for the transfer of power.
Burnham said he would seek the Labor leadership after winning the Makerfield by-election and returning to Westminster last month.
Sir Keir resigned as prime minister on the same day Burnham was sworn in as an MP, and in his resignation speech he said he had heard the answer to the question “whether I am in the best position to lead us to the next general election”.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting was considering replacing Sir Keir as Labor leader.
However, he decided to support Burnham shortly after Sir Keir’s resignation.
Carns was also considering the chance to become the next Labor leader.
He resigned as defense minister due to a controversy over the level of military spending.
But when asked by Sky News presenter Cathy Newman whether he would put himself forward, Carns said it was not in the party’s interests to shed “internal blood”.
“So my view is we need to get on board,” Carns said.
“Andy has done a good job in Manchester, he has done a great job during Covid, he saw the Manchester Arena attack and dealt with it very effectively and positively impacted the economic trajectory of Manchester.
“If we can do this locally, regionally and nationally, I think it hits the right spot.”
