Andy Burnham’s hopes of becoming prime minister without a formal contest have been given a boost after two potential rivals for the top job have been left struggling to get enough support from Labour MPs.
Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, and former armed forces minister Al Carns were considering launching leadership bids after a large number of Labour MPs admitted they were uncomfortable with a ‘coronation’ for Mr Bunrham, whose policy ideas have not been tested in a leadership race.