MPs urge Darren Jones to run against Andy Burnham for Labour leadership | Labour party leadership
The Prime Minister’s principal secretary, Darren Jones, is being urged by MPs to run against Andy Burnham to kick-start the Labor leadership race and avoid a “coronation”.
The Bristol North West MP is understood to be reluctant to stand, but sources said he would first look at Burnham’s economic plans, including plans for public control of utilities.
Jones’ supporters told the Guardian they were concerned about the possibility of Ed Miliband becoming chancellor under Burnham and whether this would cause a negative market reaction.
Burnham is considering appointing Miliband as chancellor but has not yet made a final decision. Sources said Burnham was aware of the potential risks to business and unions opposing the move, but may be ready to discuss why a bolder approach is needed.
The new Makerfield MP, who is the clear favorite to become uncontested leader, is understood to be planning a series of speeches to lay out his policies, including on the economy. He emphasized that he will stick to Rachel Reeves’ financial rules when it comes to spending and debt.
Labor MPs loyal to Keir Starmer have been organizing since last Friday for the potential candidacy of Jones, who is also chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and minister for intergovernmental relations, should Starmer resign ahead of a contest.
“Many in the party know that Andy Burnham’s policies are, at best, the same policies we put to voters in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019, every time voters rejected them,” said one MP who backed Jones. “Unlike all other potential candidates, Darren Jones has both the economic and national security experience we would expect from a Prime Minister and represents continuity in both areas of success. But he also represents a generational difference from most other candidates, has national rather than regional appeal and is a proven media performer.”
Former defense secretary Al Carns is also considering a run for leadership. “I’m not prepared to make a decision on that at all,” the former Royal Marine said. “I would say we need to move away from politics that talks in terms of tactics and actually thinks about strategy, and what I’m really looking for are big targeted outcomes that we want to achieve in 2029 and 2034-35.”
Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told Radio 4’s Today program on Tuesday that he did not think the contest was in the best interests of the country. There are said to be up to 300 MPs backing Burnham’s bid to replace Starmer.
Asked if this meant avoiding a contest, Thomas-Symonds said: “I just think we need to weigh up what is in the country’s interests. I am of the view that this should be a rapid transition, but of course I also understand that my colleagues have difficult decisions to make.”
“I’m backing Andy Burnham to replace Keir. First of all, I think we have a delivery job to do in the second half of parliament. I think Andy has shown comprehensively that he can run that delivery job as mayor of Greater Manchester.”
“But secondly, there’s the question of leading us into the next general election and defeating Reformation, and I think Andy Burnham has shown comprehensively at Makerfield that he can do that, we’ve seen him do that in an election.”
