Skills Minister Jacqui Smith (drawing the short straw) on Times Radio this morning:
“I would have been very happy for [Starmer] to continue. But he understands, and we can all see, the pressure being brought upon him. The challenges that are around.”
Later on BBC Breakfast:
“‘I’m absolutely clear that what he has been thinking about is what is in the best interest of the British people…”
She nonetheless admitted she would serve under Andy Burnham, if – or realistically, when – it comes to it. Dozens of cameras are lining up outside No10 at the time of going to pixel. Starmer returned to the building last night after a lonely weekend in Chequers…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”