Labour MPs consider standing for leader to stop Andy Burnham coronation
Andy Burnham was sworn in as an MP yesterday and is the favourite to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
Two Labour MPs are reported to be considering a challenge against Andy Burnham to become the next Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer announced he is resigning from the top job yesterday morning, just hours before Mr Burnham was sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting was thought to be standing in any potential leadership contest against Mr Burnham, but yesterday he announced he is instead backing the former Manchester mayor.
If there is no challenger, it could see Mr Burnham coronated as Prime Minister without a contest.
However, Al Carns MP and Darren Jones MP are now reported to be considering challenges of their own - however many speculate neither would have enough backers from the parliamentary Labour group to get on the ballot paper.
Opinion is split on whether or not there should be a leadership contest.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has said he is not convinced a leadership content is “the cleansing, clarifying process people think it is”.
On Monday he became one of the first Cabinet ministers to publicly voice their support for Mr Burnham to become the next Prime Minister.
He said: “The reality for centuries is that the party with a majority in the House of Commons has a mandate in a parliamentary democracy.
“That is completely consistent with the transition from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown in 2007.”
He added: “There is very wide and strong momentum building around Andy Burnham’s candidacy.
“I’m never entirely convinced that leadership contests are the cleansing, clarifying process people think it is.
“Andy Burnham is hugely powerful and successful in beating Reform in an area where they won every single council ward, and I think that weighs heavily on the minds of Labour colleagues.”
Number 10 says there will now be “no new major policy or spending commitments” made until a new Prime Minister is appointed.
Mr Burnham is now reported to be receiving briefings from civil servants on taking over as Prime Minister after Downing Street authorised access talks with “prospective candidates”.
These talks will focus on the “formation of government and key policy priorities” and will include security briefings.
Nominations to stand for leadership open on July 9 and close on July 16. If there is no challenger, Mr Burnham could be Prime Minister as early as July 17.
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