Andy Burnham to be given confidential Government briefings as Labour MPs consider challenge
Andy Burnham could still face hurdles in his path to Downing Street as two senior Labour MPs weigh up whether to launch leadership bids to prevent a coronation
Andy Burnham is set to start receiving Government briefings as Sir Keir Starmer said he would seek to make the transition of power “as easy as possible” for his successor as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer has authorised Civil Service access talks to begin with “prospective candidates” in preparation for the change in No 10, Downing Street said.
This can happen before nominations to become the next Labour leader close on July 16, No10 confirmed.
Access talks, which usually happen ahead of general elections, allow prospective prime ministers to have confidential discussions with the civil service about their priorities and plans for government.
At Cabinet, the Prime Minister told ministers he wanted an “orderly transition” and would seek to “resolve difficult issues in the coming weeks” at a weekly Cabinet meeting this morning.
Sir Keir said that he “wanted whoever becomes the next Prime Minister to succeed”, adding that he would give his “full support to whoever follows in his footsteps”.
But Downing Street said no “major” new policy decisions or spending pledges would be made during this period, adding that Sir Keir would agree priorities with Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo in the coming days.
The defence investment plan (Dip), which has been delayed for months amid wrangling within Government over its funding, is one loose end he intends to tie up before leaving office.
His plans to publish the document before the Nato summit on July 7 have the potential to cause friction with Mr Burnham’s team after reports that allies of the newly-elected MP believe the decision should fall to the next leader.
Asked whether Sir Keir was concerned about the work of Government grinding to a halt during the transition process, his official spokesman said the “normal business of Government continues”.
The former Greater Manchester mayor will begin to set out his policy platform, pledging economic growth and a commitment to Labour’s existing fiscal rules in a speech next week.
Many see him as a prime minister-in-waiting following his Makerfield by-election win and his main rival, former health secretary Wes Streeting, backing him to succeed Sir Keir, who announced his resignation on Monday.
But he could still face hurdles in his path to Downing Street as two senior Labour MPs weigh up whether to launch leadership bids to prevent a coronation in which Mr Burnham is handed the keys to No 10 unopposed.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones and former armed forces minister Al Carns are being considered as potential candidates by those wary about installing Mr Burnham as leader without a contest.
Sources close to Mr Jones said he was not currently minded to run but that he would want assurances on the former mayor’s approach to economic policy, amid concerns among some potential unease in the markets.
Meanwhile, former Royal Marines officer Mr Carns told journalists at the Foreign Press Association in London that he had not ruled out standing in a potential contest.
He said Mr Burnham would “listen” to the Parliamentary Labour Party and “he’ll take advice on policy ideas, and hopefully he’ll be able to drive them forward at a pace and with the boldness and courageousness that is required to keep that social cohesion and make us successful in the 2029 general election”.
But he said: “A vision without a plan is a dream and if you don’t have it, it can turn into a nightmare pretty quickly.”
Asked whether he would launch his own leadership bid, he said: “A decision is often based on multiple factors. I just need to see and buy into that vision and that policy and then we’ll see where we go from there.”
Burnham backer Nick Thomas-Symonds suggested a contest would not be in the best interests of the country.
The Cabinet Office minister told Sky News: “I just think we have to weigh up what is in the best interests of the country. I am of the view that it needs to be a swift transition but of course I understand colleagues have difficult decisions to make.”
The new Makerfield MP, who only returned to the Commons on Monday, could be in Downing Street within weeks if a challenger does not emerge.
If he is the only candidate to receive the support needed to stand in the contest for the vacant Labour leadership, he could become prime minister as early as July 17.
Sir Keir announced he would be standing down in an emotional statement outside No 10 on Monday, promising an “orderly handover of power” to his successor.
Defending his record, he pledged to give the next leader “my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago”.
Sir Keir said he would ask Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to set out a timetable that would see a new leader in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer recess on September 1 if there is a contest.
But Mr Burnham could be the only candidate when nominations close on July 16. Potential candidates have until then to amass the support of at least 81 Labour MPs.