Darren Jones rules himself out of Labour leadership race
Chief Secretary Darren Jones will not challenge Andy Burnham for Labour leadership, saying a conversation reassured him about Burnham's economic plans.
Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, has ruled out standing for the Labour Party leadership after a conversation with current leader Andy Burnham.
Speaking to Sky News, Jones said he had been "reassured" about Burnham's economic plans following their discussion on Tuesday. Asked directly if he would stand, Jones replied: "I'm not. And, look, I'm flattered by the support from colleagues, but it's not something I'm going to do."
However, Jones urged Burnham to set out more of his economic policy to reassure Labour MPs, noting that "upwards of 100 MPs have expressed concerns either around a contest or economic policy, or were just feeling pretty depressed" after Keir Starmer's resignation.
"My last conversation with Andy Burnham was to say, 'MPs are asking me to stand. I'm not going to, but they're asking me for a reason – because they want you to set out more about your economic policy'," Jones said.
Jones also appeared to warn against appointing Ed Miliband as chancellor, outlining tests for the role. He declined to comment on Miliband personally, but said the next chancellor must have a clear view of the political economy and understand how the Treasury works.
"I think they need to have an important relationship with the prime minister, because in many circumstances the chancellor is more powerful than the prime minister. You have to have someone who enables delivery of the PM's priorities, not tries to control the PM," Jones said. He added that the chancellor must reassure markets, trade unions, the parliamentary Labour Party, and the public.
When asked if Miliband falls short of these tests, Jones replied: "I will let you mark those tests, but those are the tests I think need to be met."
