Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she is 'backing' Andy Burnham to become the UK's next prime minister despite speculation she could be replaced as Chancellor if he takes office.
New Makerfield MP Mr Burnham has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer in No 10. He could be in Downing Street within weeks if a challenger does not emerge.
Reeves refuses to pre-empt Burnham's decisions
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Reeves would not be drawn on reports she may accept another role if she was to be replaced by Mr Burnham. She said: “I’m not going to pre-empt the decisions that the new prime minister will make.”
The Chancellor added: “I’m backing Andy. I think he’d be a great prime minister, but those are his decisions, not mine to make.”
Speculation over next Chancellor
Mr Burnham is reportedly yet to settle on his choice of chancellor. Speculation has focused on the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. But some within Labour have cautioned against appointing Mr Miliband, with chief secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones appearing to suggest the former party leader would not meet his 'tests' for a new chancellor. Mr Jones said any new chancellor should not seek to 'control' the prime minister, and would have to 'reassure' markets, trade unions, MPs and the public – and he declined to say whether he thought Mr Miliband passed those 'tests'.
Reeves defends her record
Ms Reeves added that 'no one could doubt' her commitment to Sir Keir in recent years. "I’ve been by his side for six years now as shadow chancellor and then as Chancellor of the Exchequer," she told the BBC. She added: "I know that whoever is prime minister and chancellor in the future will inherit a stronger economy than the one I inherited two years ago.”
Speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce’s annual global conference later on Thursday, Ms Reeves urged her successor to stick to her economic plans. She said: “I hope that whoever is Chancellor in the future, whenever that future may be, sticks to what I’m doing because it is beginning to bear fruit, and we are seeing that investment return to the economy, that growth return to the economy, and crucially, that stability, so that businesses can plan and invest in the future.”
Leadership contest developments
Few potential challengers to Mr Burnham have emerged as the contest picks up pace. Mr Jones had been rumoured as a potential challenger backed by Sir Keir’s supporters among Labour MPs, but on Wednesday he ruled himself out of contention and rowed in behind Mr Burnham. Former armed forces minister Al Carns, who resigned earlier this month in a row over defence spending, remains a possible contender, calling for a 'proper debate' on the country’s future. While Mr Carns has not formally announced a leadership bid, he has also refused to rule himself out as a potential candidate in a series of interviews in recent days.
