Darren Jones rules out bid for Labour leadership but says he ‘had the numbers’

The Prime Minister’s chief secretary Darren Jones has ruled out challenging Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership but said he had the numbers to do so.

It comes following the resignation of Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, with Burnham considered the firm favourite to replace him. There have been reports that some Labour MPs are trying to put forward a challenger to prevent a Burnham coronation, with critics saying they would like to see Burnham’s ideas tested.

Among the names mooted are Jones and former Armed Forces minister Al Carns. Jones however has ruled himself out this morning, telling Sky News that Andy Burnham is “going to be the next prime minister.”

“So the question for me,” Jones asked, “is, well, what would the benefit be to the country and to the party of a leadership contest?”

He also said he did have the required numbers to make it onto the ballot for any contest, because more than 100 Labour MPs had concerns either over a contest or economic policy.

While Jones has ruled himself out, Carns has not, telling Newsnight that he is “pretty serious” in considering a leadership bid, but wants to “see behind Andy Burnham what the policies are” before making a final call.