Cabinet Office and EU Relations minister Nick Thomas Symonds has told Sky News that he is backing Andy Burnham and a contest would be against the national interest:
“I am backing Andy Burnham to succeed Keir. I think, first of all, we have a job of delivery to do in the second half of the Parliament. I think he has shown, Andy, comprehensively as the mayor of Greater Manchester, that he can carry out that job of delivery.
But secondly, there is the question about leading us into the next general election and defeating Reform and I think Andy Burnham has just shown comprehensively in Makerfield that he can do that, we’ve seen him do it in an election. So I’m backing Andy Burnham and, yes, looking for a swift transition.”
Asked about his Labour colleagues thinking about a challenge, he said:
“I just think we have to weigh up what is in the best interests of the country. I am of the view that it needs to be a swift transition, but of course I understand colleagues have difficult decisions to make.”
So far Darren Jones is yet to confirm whether he will stand as the Starmerite revenge candidate or not. Labour’s willingness to have a battle of ideas has faded since the Makerfield result…
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.”