Senior minister Darren Jones has ruled himself out of the Labour leadership race, urging frontrunner Andy Burnham to set out more details of his economic policies. In an interview with Sky News on Wednesday morning, Jones said he would have had the backing of enough MPs to challenge Burnham but suggested a contest would not leave the eventual winner enough time to prepare an autumn budget.
Jones said he had a 'reassuring' conversation with Burnham about the Makerfield MP's economic policy before making his decision. He called on Burnham to provide more clarity for the 'upwards of 100 MPs' who either have concerns about his plans or are 'feeling pretty depressed' following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation.
Economic Policy and Borrowing
When asked about Burnham potentially increasing borrowing to fund spending priorities, Jones acknowledged there is 'room to borrow a little bit more' within existing fiscal rules. However, he stressed that other routes exist to achieve Burnham's objectives 'without broad brush borrowing and spending.'
Jones also appeared to caution Burnham against appointing Ed Miliband as chancellor, declining to endorse the current Energy Secretary when outlining a set of 'tests' for the next occupant of Number 11. He said the next chancellor should not try to 'control' the prime minister and must 'reassure' markets, trade unions, Labour MPs, and the public. Asked whether Miliband 'falls short' of these tests, Jones replied: 'I will let you mark those tests, but those are the tests I think need to be met.'
Leadership Contest Dynamics
Jones's decision removes another obstacle on Burnham's path to Number 10, with few other MPs discussed as potential challengers. Former armed forces minister Al Carns remains a possible contender, challenging Burnham to set out a policy platform he can support. Speaking to GB News, Carns said: 'If he has the inspiration, the drive, and the courageous sort of bold nature to move this forward, then I will wave the flag, jump on a bandwagon, and move hell for leather to deliver for him.'
Carns noted that Burnham's promised speech on the economy next week will 'give us a really good gauge.' He added: 'I want to know what national security and foreign policy we're moving off on. I want to know our economic policy. I want to know how we're getting after everything from welfare to how we get people back into work, how we give those areas of the country that have been left behind a hand up, not a hand-out.'
Path to Downing Street
If no other candidate secures the 81 nominations needed to get onto the Labour leadership ballot, Burnham is expected to enter Downing Street by July 18, making him Britain's fifth prime minister in four years. The current prime minister has already authorised 'access talks' between leadership contenders and the Civil Service, allowing Burnham and his team to receive government briefings once he demonstrates support from 81 Labour MPs.
Talks are continuing about who might serve in a Burnham cabinet. Senior Labour figures including former transport secretary Louise Haigh, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and former health secretary Wes Streeting have all been tipped for top jobs. James Purnell, a former Labour cabinet minister who served alongside Burnham in the Blair government, is reportedly being considered as chief of staff, according to the Times.
Infrastructure and Fiscal Rules
Crossbench peer Jim O'Neill, who has been advising Burnham, told the Guardian he wants to see a new independent body set up to allow extra spending on infrastructure while remaining within Labour's fiscal rules. The body could follow the model of the Office for Budget Responsibility, enabling billions more to be spent on boosting big transport and public works projects.
Downing Street indicated that Sir Keir Starmer intends to stay as a backbench MP for the rest of this Parliament, with his spokesman saying the prime minister told ministers that 'this is the end of my journey, but this is not the end of yours.'
