Two senior Labour MPs are reportedly mulling launching leadership bids to prevent Andy Burnham from walking straight into No 10. Former defence minister Al Carns has said he is considering running, while the BBC reports that Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones has not ruled out the possibility. A number of MPs are uncomfortable with the thought that Mr Burnham will secure the top job in Westminster, without his policies facing any scrutiny. If no Labour MP runs against him, it is likely he will be prime minister by 17 July.It comes after Sir Keir Starmer laid out his resignation plan in an address outside Number 10 on Monday, setting 9 July as the start date for the process to find his successor.Mr Burnham returns to parliament following his victory in Thursday’s by-election in Makerfield, having secured a decisive majority over Reform.Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”Holly Evans23 June 2026 08:18Andy Burnham to set out policies in major speech next week Andy Burnham is set to make a major speech next week to set out key aspects of his economic policy, including confirmation he will stick to the current Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ rules for managing the public finances.Mr Burnham will begin to set out his policy platform, pledging economic growth and a commitment to Labour’s existing fiscal rules in a speech next week.Talks are also said to be taking place about who will sit in his Cabinet, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood both tipped as potential candidates to replace Ms Reeves as chancellor.But Mr Burnham’s allies said no jobs had been given and no deals had been made as of Monday evening.Ms Reeves’ successor would be bound by the rules she set, which aim to restrict borrowing and pay for day-to-day spending out of tax revenues by the end of the decade.Mr Burnham knows he has to reassure the City of London about his economic plans, having previously caused alarm by saying “we’ve got to get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets”.Andy Burnham will make a speech on the economy next week (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)Holly Evans23 June 2026 08:05Cabinet minister backs Burnham and calls for a 'swift transition' Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds backed Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership and suggested a contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer would not be in the national interest.He told Sky News: “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 if that meant he wanted to avoid a contest, 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.”Nick Thomas-Symonds backs Andy Burnham to be prime minister (Getty)Holly Evans23 June 2026 07:54Ed Davet says he doesn't support calls for a general electionLiberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has said that he doesn't support calls for a general election, as he calls for greater stability."I think actually people want to give the new prime minister a chance," he said."People will be impatient for change."Mr Davey added that who ever becomes the new prime minister "has got a very short window where people will give him a chance".The Lib Dem leader explains: "If he fails, and he for example doesn't follow what we've been saying on Europe or social care or defence, I think people will then demand a general election."Holly Evans23 June 2026 07:37Labour MPs consider leadership challenge to stop Burnham coronationAt least two senior Labour MPs are considering putting their names forward in a leadership contest, to prevent a straight coronation of Andy Burnham, the BBC has reported. Former defence minister Al Carns is still debating whether to run, while Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones is also yet to decide whether to put his name in hat. A number of ministers are increasingly uncomfortable with the prospect of the former Greater Manchester mayor becoming prime minister when his policies are yet to be tested by his party. It is looking likely that Mr Burnham could in No10 as early as 17 July, the day after nominations for the top job close. Nominations for prime minister open on 9 July and send by the summer recess of 16 July, with candidates needing to gain the support of at least 81 MPs each. Holly Evans23 June 2026 07:20Bryony Gooch23 June 2026 07:00Recap: Burnham warns against 'jumping several hurdles ahead' with calls for a general electionAndy Burnham said it would be “jumping several hurdles ahead” to call a general election should he become the next prime minister following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.As he arrived in London on Monday afternoon, Mr Burnham was asked about comments he made when Rishi Sunak became prime minister, when he called for a general election.Asked if he would now call an election, the new Labour MP for Makerfield said: “You’re jumping several hurdles ahead there.”The former mayor of Greater Manchester added that his “priority” for the day was to officially swear in as an MP, adding: “It’s been very kind of sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester. The people have been brilliant to me over the last few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place.”Bryony Gooch23 June 2026 06:00Bryony Gooch23 June 2026 05:00Recap in pictures: The moment Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation(Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)(Getty)Bryony Gooch23 June 2026 04:00Bryony Gooch23 June 2026 03:00