BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Andy Burnham moved significantly closer to becoming the United Kingdom’s next prime minister on Wednesday after senior Cabinet minister Darren Jones ruled himself out of the Labour Party leadership contest, leaving Burnham on course to secure the party’s top job without facing a challenger.
Jones, who had been widely viewed as one of the few senior figures capable of mounting a credible leadership campaign, confirmed that he would not seek the position. His decision further strengthened expectations that Burnham could become both Labour leader and prime minister within weeks if no other candidate enters the race.
The latest development came as Prime Minister Keir Starmer continued carrying out his official duties despite announcing earlier this week that he intends to resign after less than two years in office. Starmer faced lawmakers during his weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session before departing for Berlin, where he was scheduled to meet European leaders for discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, Middle East security, and European defense cooperation.
During the lively parliamentary session, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch launched a series of attacks on Starmer’s premiership, arguing that his government had failed to deliver on key promises and suggesting that Labour had effectively abandoned him in favor of Burnham. Badenoch also mocked Burnham with a personal jibe while claiming the governing party had already shifted its support to the Greater Manchester mayor.
Starmer defended his record, insisting his government had worked to reverse years of economic austerity and restore stability after more than a decade of Conservative rule. He argued that the true measure of any prime minister is whether they leave the country in a stronger position than when they entered office and expressed confidence that his administration would ultimately be judged positively.
Although speculation had grown that Darren Jones might enter the leadership contest, he confirmed during a television interview that he had no intention of running.
Despite stepping aside, Jones offered a note of caution to Burnham as the party prepares for a leadership transition. He stressed the importance of maintaining economic credibility and warned against shifting Labour too far to the left on fiscal policy. According to Jones, whoever becomes the next Chancellor of the Exchequer must be capable of reassuring financial markets, trade unions, Labour members of Parliament, and the wider public.
Burnham is expected to unveil key elements of his economic agenda in a major speech next week, including his approach to economic growth, public investment, and government spending. His choice of a new finance minister will be closely watched by investors and political observers seeking clues about the direction a Burnham-led government would take.
Starmer’s resignation followed months of mounting political pressure after a series of policy setbacks and political controversies weakened both his standing within Labour and his popularity among voters. Although Labour won a commanding election victory under his leadership, his government struggled to maintain public confidence as economic challenges and internal disagreements increasingly dominated political debate.
Burnham, a former Cabinet minister who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, returned to national politics by winning last week’s by-election for the parliamentary seat of Makerfield. His decision to re-enter Parliament was widely viewed as preparation for a leadership bid following growing speculation about Starmer’s future.
With no declared challengers remaining, Burnham appears well positioned to secure the leadership without a competitive contest. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, previously considered the strongest potential rival, has already announced that he will support Burnham rather than stand against him.
Labour’s leadership nomination process is scheduled to begin on July 9 and conclude one week later. If Burnham remains the sole candidate, he could officially become Labour leader and prime minister as early as July 17. However, should another candidate emerge before nominations close, party members would vote over the summer, with the winner expected to be confirmed before Parliament returns on September 1.
During a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, Starmer pledged to oversee what he described as an orderly transition of power, promising to work closely with colleagues to ensure government business continues smoothly throughout the leadership change.
Although his resignation has limited his ability to introduce major domestic initiatives or announce significant new spending plans, Starmer has continued an active international schedule aimed at reinforcing Britain’s diplomatic relationships and shaping his foreign policy legacy.
His visit to Berlin for meetings with leaders from Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom reflects Britain’s continued involvement in European security discussions. The talks are expected to focus on military support for Ukraine, regional stability in the Middle East, and strengthening defense cooperation among European allies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Foreign policy has generally been regarded as one of the stronger aspects of Starmer’s premiership. His government has maintained close coordination with European partners on Ukraine while also working with allies to manage the regional consequences of the Iran conflict and broader instability across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the British government is preparing to release its long-awaited defense investment strategy ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey scheduled for July 7 and 8. The defense review has attracted heightened attention following the resignation of Defense Secretary John Healey earlier this month, adding further significance to the government’s plans for future military spending and national security.
As Labour prepares for a leadership transition, political attention is increasingly shifting toward Burnham and the priorities he would bring to Downing Street. With support consolidating behind his candidacy and no significant challenger yet emerging, the former Greater Manchester mayor appears on course to lead both the Labour Party and the country into its next political chapter.