Labour figures back Burnham coronation, reject general election gamble

Senior Labour figures lined up behind Andy Burnham on Sunday, with Steve Reed saying the party would stand “four square behind Andy” and Lucy Powell saying Burnham had built up a “clear sense of purpose.” The show of unity came as Labour tried to close down talk of a general election to force a fresh mandate, even as Burnham’s return to the Commons after his Makerfield by-election victory sharpened the succession battle around Keir Starmer.

Reed said Burnham would bring “changes in emphasis” but keep the “fundamentals” in place, including Labour’s borrowing rules. He said the public did not want a national vote before a new leader took office. A YouGov survey this week put 48% in favour of a national vote when Starmer’s successor is in place, with 35% against, while a More in Common poll carried out between June 19 and June 22 found 37% wanted a vote and 43% wanted the new prime minister to get on and govern.

Labour MPs said local constituency parties were uneasy about an uncontested handover and wanted a proper leadership contest so Burnham could be tested in public. One MP said CLP members were “not keen on a coronation” and “want a contest so they can see him put through his paces,” while another warned the party should avoid alienating members who expected to be involved. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said he was “very supportive” of Burnham, Wes Streeting has already moved to back him after the Makerfield result, and Darren Jones said he would not launch a challenge after receiving assurances from Burnham on the economy.

Labour’s own leadership rules require 81 MPs to get a candidate onto the ballot, and nominations will open on July 9. A June 22 Labour briefing said Starmer had asked the National Executive Committee to find a new leader and would not take part in any contest, and if only one candidate emerges a new prime minister could be in place next month. If the race is contested, the ballot will open on August 6, close on August 27 and the result will be announced on August 29.