Darren Jones, a senior ally of outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has publicly backed Andy Burnham as the frontrunner to succeed him, following reassurances over Burnham’s economic
approach.
Jones, who serves as chief secretary to Starmer, said he had held discussions with Burnham on fiscal policy after earlier remarks by the former mayor had unsettled financial markets. Burnham had previously suggested the UK should not remain “in hock to the bond markets,” comments he later said were misinterpreted.
Speaking to Sky News, Jones indicated that while concerns had existed, his conversations with Burnham had helped clarify his position on borrowing and economic strategy.
“There is room to borrow a little bit more,” Jones said, adding that any additional borrowing would need to be “targeted” and supported by a credible growth plan in order to win acceptance from markets, trade unions and the Labour Party.
However, he noted that Burnham had not yet set out detailed spending commitments during their discussions.
“We talked a lot about what he was thinking on the economy and what my thoughts were on that, and some of the potential ways forward for the new government,” Jones said.
The comments come after Starmer announced earlier this week that he would step down following sustained pressure over Labour’s weakening poll performance and disappointing local election results, triggering a leadership contest beginning on 9 July.
Burnham is currently the only declared candidate, raising the prospect of an uncontested path to leadership. If confirmed, he would become Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade.
Jones was explicit in his assessment of the political momentum behind Burnham, saying: “Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister. And if there was a contest of Labour Party members, he would win.” Photo by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.
