LONDON: Darren Jones, a close ally of outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has ruled himself out of the race to succeed the Labour leader and thrown his support behind Andy Burnham, significantly strengthening the Greater Manchester mayor’s path to becoming Britain’s next prime minister.
Speaking on Wednesday, Jones said he had no intention of entering a leadership contest and expressed confidence that Burnham would emerge as Labour’s next leader and prime minister.
“Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister,” Jones said, adding that Burnham would be well placed to win the backing of Labour Party members if a leadership vote were held.
Jones, who serves as chief secretary to the Treasury in Starmer’s government, had been viewed as one of the few potential figures capable of mounting a serious challenge to Burnham. His decision to step aside and endorse Burnham leaves the latter as the only declared candidate to replace Starmer.
The move increases the likelihood that Burnham could take office as prime minister as early as mid-July, rather than later in the summer following a prolonged leadership contest.
Jones said he had held extensive discussions with Burnham regarding economic policy and had received assurances over the direction a future government would take.
Economic policy has attracted particular attention following comments made by Burnham last year in which he suggested Britain needed to reduce its dependence on financial markets. Burnham later argued that his remarks had been taken out of context and misrepresented.
According to Jones, recent conversations had focused on economic priorities and potential policy options for a new administration, helping to address concerns among investors and party figures.
The leadership transition follows Prime Minister Starmer’s announcement on Monday that he would step down after facing sustained pressure over Labour’s declining popularity and disappointing results in recent local elections.
Starmer’s departure marks another chapter in a period of political instability in Britain. If Burnham assumes office, he will become the country’s seventh prime minister in just a decade.
The rapid turnover of leaders has fuelled debate about political leadership and long-term policy direction in the UK, with Labour now preparing for a new phase under what appears to be Burnham’s increasingly uncontested leadership.
