More than 100 Labour MPs have expressed concern about Andy Burnham becoming party leader and Prime Minister, a senior Cabinet minister has revealed. Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said he had spoken to Mr Burnham to demand reassurances about the economy, highlighting worries that the former Manchester Mayor might allow borrowing to rise.
Concerns over economic policy
Speaking to journalist Beth Rigby on Sky News, Mr Jones said he told Mr Burnham: “MPs are asking me to stand. I’m not going to, but they’re asking me to stand for a reason. And that’s because they want you to set out more about your economic policy.” He added: “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.”
Reassurances sought on fiscal approach
Mr Jones, a close ally of former leader Sir Keir Starmer, said Labour MPs backed Mr Burnham’s plans to build more council houses and invest in infrastructure. However, he stressed the need for a cautious approach: “But there is a route to doing that in line with the fiscal rules, in a way which continues economic stability as opposed to moving too quickly. And just saying you’re going to borrow lots of extra money, because the risk of doing that – borrowing isn’t free.”
He warned that excessive borrowing could divert funds from public services: “I mean, if you just say you’re going to borrow lots of extra money, you could probably sell the debt. But it’s increasingly expensive, and it means you take money away from doctors and nurses and police officers of the armed forces in order to pay debt interest payments, predominantly now to American hedge funds.”
Importance of chancellor selection
The minister emphasised the critical role of choosing a suitable chancellor, stating: “Quite frankly, in many circumstances, the Chancellor in the Treasury is more powerful than the prime minister in Downing Street ... and you also need a Chancellor that can reassure the markets, reassure the trade unions and reassure the parliamentary Labour Party and by extension the public.”
When asked by Beth Rigby if Ed Miliband would be a suitable Chancellor, Mr Jones declined to endorse a specific candidate, replying: “Well, I will let you mark those tests, but those are the tests I think need to be met. But as I say, any Prime minister, when they decide who they’re appointing as Chancellor, has to make a big decision.”
Leadership context
Mr Jones confirmed he had decided not to stand in the leadership contest himself, despite being urged by some MPs. The revelations come as Mr Burnham returns to Westminster following his victory in the Makerfield by-election, positioning himself as a potential successor to Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned after a period of internal party turmoil.
