Top Starmer ally denies plotting to replace him as Labour leadership race looms
Darren Jones has insisted he is not considering running for the Labor leadership after speculation he was planning a move to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labor leader and prime minister.
The prime minister’s chief lieutenant and general secretary have been among those allegedly considering running for the top job in recent weeks as Sir Keir’s time in Downing Street appears to be coming to an end.
As Andy Burnham is set to become the overwhelming favorite to replace Sir Keir if he wins the Makerfield by-election against a strong challenge from Reform, centrists in the party are looking for a Starmer ally to run against him.
Even if Mr Burnham fails to return to parliament, a challenge from former health secretary Wes Streeting is all but confirmed after he resigned from the government last month, and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who has refused to return to Sir Keir’s senior team, is also expected to stand.
But a source close to Mr Jones insisted the Starmer loyalist was not planning to run for the top job.
The source said: “This is all unfounded speculation; there is no such list or statement and Darren thinks everyone should continue to make the most of being in government after 14 years in the wilderness.”
Speculations were renewed with an article Times This suggests the 39-year-old, who was previously Rachel Reeves’ deputy at the Treasury, is preparing a bid.
There are claims that he has spreadsheet tracking support for different candidates, with sources close to the minister describing the claim as “mischief”.
Last month, PoliticsHome Page also revealed that Mr Jones was “supportive”.
Ally Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi said: “I think there are a number of candidates who would be acceptable to the country. In fact, I think you’ve heard of one of them before.”
“I think Darren Jones is a very bright and intelligent person who has shown great leadership as chairman of a select committee. He has done an excellent job of supporting the Prime Minister as his principal secretary.”
Nearly 100 MPs have called on Sir Keir to step down as the pressure of the Peter Mandelson scandal mounts and the prime minister’s authority fades amid a series of rebellions and U-turns on issues such as scrapping winter fuel for pensioners and slashing welfare.
There are fears among Labor MPs that without a centrist continuity candidate the party could tear itself apart in a left-right struggle between its factions.
Defense secretary John Healey had previously been suggested as a continuity candidate, while energy minister Ed Miliband was also positioning himself for a possible leadership bid.
