Darren Jones and Al Carns considering leadership bid to stop Andy Burnham coronation

At least two Labour MPs are considering leadership bids in an attempt to stop an Andy Burnham coronation, it is being reported.

Following the decision of the Prime Minister Keir Starmer to announce yesterday morning that he has decided to stand down following weeks of pressure after losing the confidence of many members of his cabinet and more than 100 Labour MPs, Burnham, who returned to Parliament yesterday, is widely tipped to become leader.

The newly elected MP for Makerfield has made no secret of his desire to replace Starmer as leader. It was announced by the Prime Minister yesterday that  nominations for leader would open on 9th July, and if no one puts themselves forward, that could mean Burnham entering Downing Street as early as 17^th July.

However, Starmer loyalists and other MPs are keen for Burnham to undergo a contest and believe without one it would undermine his mandate, as he would not have the support to undertake difficult decisions.

Among the names being mooted to challenge Burnham are Darren Jones, Starmer’s Chief Secretary and former Defence Minister Al Carns.

Jones has not ruled out a leadership bid, and the Telegraph and Playbook report that a number of MPs have thrown their weight behind Jones.

Carns also indicated he was interested in a tilt at the top job.

“I’m not ready to make a decision on this in any way shape or form,” he told ITV’s Peston on Monday night.

“What I would say is we need to move from the politics which talk through the tactics and think about the strategy and what I’m really looking for are big objective outcomes that we want to get to in 2029 and 2034/35”.