Darren Jones rules out Labour leadership challenge
Darren Jones, the prime minister's chief secretary, announced he will not challenge Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership, declaring "Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister." Jones said he had been weighing a run but was reassured about Burnham's economic plans after speaking with him and called a challenge "a waste of time" because he would not win. Keir Starmer has stepped down, making Burnham the clear front-runner, and Jones' withdrawal removes a prominent potential rival. That consolidation makes a swift, uncontested transition to Burnham more likely and narrows the window for a policy-focused leadership contest.
Senior cabinet minister Darren Jones has ruled out running for Prime Minister and has endorsed Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cw...
Jane Harbison5He’s been lent on Burnham too scared to face the members -might lose for a third time
Dan Bucknall4Seems like Starmer's prefernce is for a direct handover. There are good arguments in favour of this and in favour of a contest. Considering the desperate state of the country, plus that Burnham would prob. win anyway, I'm tilting towards this. But, it's uncomfortable to think he won't be tested.
Debbie Kennedy3Didn't get enough support? Private Eye below. Does the Labour Party and media realise they are satirising themselves?
I did very much enjoy Darren Jones' reasoning for not standing this morning ("The reason I'm not doing it is because it's a waste of time and I would never win") which honestly, I respect.
Stephen Bush38I'm against it when people do the Kremlinologists out of a job by just going for the obviously truthful 'I'm not running because it would be a bad idea'.
Leftback2I still think he's a twat, but he's a twat with a measure of self reflection so I have to nod in approval in his general direction.
It doesn’t feel like there’s much of a Labour leadership contest at the moment. It feels like those running the Labour Party have just chosen a man to replace Starmer because he’s become too unpopular to continue.
Sarah Viktoria 🇬🇧🏳️⚧️⚧️🦗2Have they acknowledged what it was that made Starmer unpopular?
George Hotchkiss2That’s a fair summery. There’s talk of a coronation. Unless Labour take time to analyse what went wrong they’ll just do it again.
mhari-mac.bsky.social2For us scots nothing will change no matter who’s is in charge in England or what party it is. The only way things will get better in Scotland is when we have full control of everything
Former Pingu Child Actor2Correct, basically the same man as well just more normally charismatic (we'll see)
Malcolm Hitchens2Be interesting if a left winger steps forward and messes up the coronation.
The crazy thing about the Labour Party is like yes (as a non member) I would like to see a contest where Burnham is forced to defend his platform but then the options are... Darren Jones and Al Carns? ????
Elizabeth Taylor19Like ok they've repudiated socialism or whatever, but like they can't even allow say a Stella Creasy to have a go? Or Miattah Fanbullah? They can't let one (1) socially liberal centre left woman come who might challenge some of the current orthodoxy. What's the point then?
M☿th7it's sort of funny to compare this to 2007 where there was *a lot* of discourse around Brown and his platform, and the decision to not challenge was in itself an indication of support for that platform - while here it's all a bit cultish?
Into Battle with the Noise of Shart5Yeah, it would fundamentally just be a complete waste of time against either or both of them, like it would achieve nothing bar delaying the inevitable
youtube.com/watch?v=9cVq... Darren Jones showing why many wanted him to run for PM..straightforward, pragmatic answers. But this Burnham coup is too well ingrained for him or anyone else to fight, & it seems members' views are irrelevant. A fait accomplis.
@CreativeCamden6Judging by the way Starmer and ever other Labour leader (Corbyn, Miliband, Blair, Smith, Foot, Wilson, MacDonald) have been treated, smeared and attacked at every turn by the media, no one in their right mind would want to take over the Labour leadership!
Janice Pearson6I hope he stays in politics Tracey. He’s excellent. Definitely a future PM. But he’s right about Burnham, the momentum is all with him and he won’t fight that. He knows it would be futile and is putting country first.
marg67.bsky.social4This interview also confirms to me he should be the next leader leader after Burnham, in about 2 years time when we’re ready to go to the country and the Parliamentary Party has found its collective mind again.
So Darren Jones is not standing. Burnham is already picking his cabinet. He hasn’t told anyone his plan except he’ll borrow wildly, no member was allowed to vote for the the new leader. Everyone happy with democracy dying before your very eyes?
Claire S (UK not USA)7Such a shame and as soon as that's officially announced I'm off, hell mend them all.
Tracey6I don't know what, if any the precedents are for this, but if it's been done before it shouldn't have been, just like now. Burnham will not be the safe pair of hands my country needs, & indeed already had with Starmer. He'll have to earn my continued vote, but I'm not paying to subsidise this stuff.
Annie5I’m not happy with the situation but the last thing the country needs is in fighting, the only thing to come out of it is would be a Farage government.
I do think it is too soon for Darren Jones just yet. Hopefully he’ll be ready to step up and pick up the pieces after Burnham, if there is anything left.
