Labour veteran politician Andy Burnham inched closer to becoming Britain’s next prime minister Wednesday after a government minister ruled himself out of the race to succeed outgoing leader Keir Starmer.
Darren Jones, a Starmer loyalist, had been touted by some lawmakers as a possible rival for the premiership, with a person close to him saying Tuesday he was mulling a race.
Jones had been encouraged to run due to some concern in Britain’s ruling Labour party that Burnham being crowned leader without a contest would raise questions about his legitimacy.
But Jones, seen as being to the right of Burnham in the centre-left party, told Sky News on Wednesday that running is “not something that I’m going to do”.
He said he had had a “reassuring conversation” with Burnham about his economic plans and insisted Burnham would become Labour’s next leader, and therefore prime minister.
His decision removes another obstacle on Burnham’s speedy route to No.10 Downing Street, after he only become eligible for the top job following his victory in a parliamentary by-election last Thursday.
Former armed forces minister Al Carns is the only other Labour MP to have said publicly that they are considering whether to challenge the ex-Greater Manchester mayor.
Carns has said he wants to hear what Burnham’s plans for government are before making his decision.
“If the policy platform described by Andy Burnham, or anyone else, is solid, productive, courageous, and bold then I will jump on that bandwagon,” he told Channel 4 News on Wednesday.
Starmer, in power since July 2024, announced on Monday that he was stepping down after losing the support of his own MPs following months of pressure over his performance.
Nominations to become Labour leader open on July 9 and close on July 16, meaning Burnham, 56, could become prime minister the following day if he faces no other contenders.
He appears to be the overwhelming favourite among Labour lawmakers to take the fight to the far-right Reform UK party, which is leading national opinion polls.
Any challenger would likely find it difficult to secure the support of the party’s 403 MPs needed to join a race.
Starmer defended his record during his weekly parliamentary questions session on Wednesday and reiterated that he would publish his long-awaited defence investment plan before the NATO summit on 7 July.
UK media has reported that Burnham’s team want Starmer to hold off from publishing the strategy.
A government spokesperson said Wednesday that after vacating Downing Street Starmer plans to remain as an MP for the rest of this parliament, which would end when the next general election is called, currently expected in 2029.
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