DARREN JONES WITHDRAWS FROM LABOUR LEADERSHIP CONTEST

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, announced he will not stand in the Labour leadership contest, bringing Andy Burnham closer to the position of party leader. Jones told Sky News that he had held a "reassuring conversation" with Burnham regarding economic policy and fiscal rules. Jones said he was not pursuing a candidacy despite receiving support from colleagues and having sufficient backing to meet the threshold to stand.

Jones stated that Burnham would win any contest among Labour party members and questioned what benefit a leadership race would provide to the country and party. However, Jones also indicated that more than a quarter of Labour MPs had expressed unhappiness at the prospect of an uncontested leadership process. Jones noted that upwards of 100 MPs had raised concerns about either a contest itself, economic policy, or their mood following Keir Starmer's resignation, and urged Burnham to set out his economic plans more clearly to reassure the parliamentary Labour party.

The former defence minister Al Carns remains under observation after indicating he was still considering whether to stand. Jones characterised Burnham as a friend and said he should present reassurances on policy to bring all parts of the parliamentary Labour party with him as he becomes prime minister.