Andy Burnham's path to becoming Prime Minister on July 17 appeared straightforward after Keir Starmer conceded support had ebbed away and Wes Streeting folded behind him. However, rumours have emerged that some Labour MPs are considering backing a challenger to trigger a contest.
Potential Challengers Emerge
Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, was touted as a possible candidate by some MPs, but a source close to him dismissed the idea, saying they were "pouring a lot of cold water" on the rumours. Al Carns, the former defence minister, also refused to rule out running. When asked about a leadership bid, Carns said: "A decision is often based on multiple factors. I just need to see and buy into that vision and that policy and then we’ll see where we go from there."
Unease Over Lack of Detail
While many MPs are elated to see Burnham back and hopeful he can offer a new path after a tough two years, there is unease about the lack of detail on his plans. Burnham has a long record in politics, serving as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Health Secretary, and Culture Secretary under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and has forged a new politics as Mayor of Greater Manchester. However, he has been out of Westminster for a decade and did not fight the general election on Labour's manifesto. On issues like defence, foreign policy, and economics, there is little concrete detail about his intentions.
In Burnham's defence, a by-election campaign is not the place to set out a programme for government, but some MPs feel they are going into this blind. His team will face pressure to sketch out more detail on what a Burnham Government could look like. He is expected to deliver a speech next week on his vision for the economy, partly to reassure jittery markets of his credibility and commitment to Rachel Reeves's strict fiscal rules.
Top Team Choices Under Scrutiny
Burnham's choice of top team is the hottest topic of conversation, as who he puts in top jobs will signal where he wants to take the party, particularly the Chancellor. Most MPs spoken to in Parliament believe Burnham is the only choice to succeed Starmer, acknowledging it is a gamble but the only viable path to win the next election. One MP told the reporter: "The PLP would be livid if someone challenges."
Politics is a brutal business, and power has clearly shifted towards Burnham, exposed by scenes of him posing for pictures with scores of grinning Labour MPs in Westminster Hall, flanked by Rachel Reeves, Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds, and Starmer loyalists like Steve Reed. Many of them stayed away from Downing Street when Starmer delivered his resignation speech.
