Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has warned Labour MPs against engaging in 'fantasy politics' as internal divisions grow following the party's poor performance in local elections. Speaking to the BBC, Jones said there was no 'magic answer' to the country's problems and urged colleagues to focus on the big issues rather than leadership speculation.
The warning comes as figures such as Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting are seen as positioning themselves for a potential leadership challenge. Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, launched a by-election campaign on Friday, telling voters that backing him was 'a vote to change Labour'. Streeting, the former Health Secretary, has proposed a wealth tax to fund a revival of the Sure Start programme.
Despite calls from dozens of MPs for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign, he has insisted he will not leave Downing Street. Former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson backed Starmer, saying there was 'no case whatsoever' for him to go and that replacing him with Burnham would be a mistake. Johnson added that a snap election should be called if Burnham became Prime Minister.
