A senior ally of Sir Keir Starmer has cautioned Labour against engaging in "fantasy politics" that could divert attention from the nation’s pressing challenges.
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, acknowledged the necessity of an internal party debate following Labour’s significant electoral setbacks across England, Wales, and Scotland. However, with Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting reportedly positioning themselves for a leadership bid, Mr Jones stressed there was no "magic answer" to the country’s problems.
"There’s a lot of fantasy politics going on right now inside the Labour Party… in terms of who is up, who is down, who will be in what position," he stated.
He added that "Britain is poorer and weaker than it needs to be," telling the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "Irrespective of individual ambitions from any of my colleagues, the big questions the country faces are still the big questions the country faces. There’s no magic answer to any of them, because if there was we would have implemented it."
Mr Jones reiterated that while a debate within the Labour Party "has to happen off the back of bad local election results," it must not overshadow "our primary focus on the country." He added: "I’m all up for having a debate inside the Labour Party about how we improve our electoral performance in the years ahead, because we don’t want to hand the country to Reform." He praised Mr Burnham as "a brilliant politician" and pledged to campaign for him in Makerfield, where the Greater Manchester mayor is seeking a Commons seat.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has defended his leadership, asserting that "our plan is working" and vowing to "keep pushing forward." This comes as numerous Labour MPs have urged the Prime Minister to resign in the wake of the electoral defeats earlier this month.
Mr Burnham launched his Makerfield campaign on Friday, declaring that "a vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour." Mr Streeting has outlined policy proposals including a wealth tax to revive the New Labour-era Sure Start programme, and planning reforms aimed at funding council homes to prevent children from growing up in temporary accommodation.
Former home secretary Alan Johnson told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House that Labour MPs would be "daft" to support a leadership challenge from Mr Burnham. He maintained there is "absolutely no case for Keir Starmer to step down," suggesting Mr Burnham would be compelled to call a snap general election if he became prime minister.
Asked about a potential leadership challenge from Mr Burnham, the former Labour MP responded: "Absolutely not. But if Labour MPs are daft enough to give their support to that, they deserve everything that’s coming to them."
The Prime Minister, who has insisted he will not step down from No 10 even if Mr Burnham wins the June 18 by-election and triggers a leadership contest, has highlighted his government’s achievements.
"We now have the fastest-growing economy in the G7, net migration has fallen and NHS waiting lists are at their lowest level in three-and-a-half years," he said, concluding: "Our plan is working."
In a clear signal of his resolve, he added: "This Government will keep pushing forward to deliver the change the country voted for." Office for National Statistics figures show the economy grew by a higher-than-expected 0.6 per cent in the first quarter, between January and March. Figures released this week indicated UK net migration dropped to an estimated 171,000 last year, the lowest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The most recent NHS England data shows the waiting list stood at 7.11 million treatments in March, a fall of 110,073 treatments from February.
Despite Sir Keir’s claims of success, both Mr Burnham and Mr Streeting have criticised the government’s perceived inability to deliver the change voters demanded in the 2024 landslide that brought Labour to power.
