Al Carns, the former defence minister who had been the last potential obstacle to Andy Burnham's coronation as Labour leader, today ruled out standing for the party's top job, telling Sky News that a leadership contest was "not the best use of Labour's time" and that "we need to get on board" with Burnham.
Carns's decision leaves Burnham as the only Labour MP who has declared his intention to bid for the leadership, following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister last month. The process to elect a new leader formally opens on Thursday, when the window for MPs to nominate candidates opens. Candidates need nominations from 20% of the party's MPs – 81 – to be eligible, plus support from affiliated unions or constituency parties. But if Burnham secures 323 nominations, it becomes mathematically impossible for anyone else to enter the contest, paving the way for him to become Labour leader by 17 July and prime minister three days later on 20 July.
“Al Carns rules out Labour leadership bid, clearing path for Andy Burnham to become prime minister.”
Carns had earlier said he could not support Burnham until he had seen more detail about his plan for government. But after speaking with Burnham on Tuesday, he concluded the Makerfield MP would "make the right decisions and move the country forward". Carns, who resigned as defence minister over a row about the level of military spending, said "internal blood letting" was not in the party's best interests. Asked by Sky News presenter Cathy Newman if he would put himself forward, Carns answered: "So, my view would be we need to get on board."
He praised Burnham's record: "Andy's done a good job with Manchester, he's done a great job during Covid, he's seen the Manchester Arena attack and dealt with that very effectively, and the economic trajectory of Manchester's in a positive way. If we can do that at the local, the regional level, and the national level, I think that's hitting the right place."
Burnham announced his intention to seek the leadership after winning a by-election in Makerfield last month and returning to Westminster on the same day Sir Keir resigned. The former health secretary Wes Streeting, who had been considering a bid, already backed Burnham shortly after Starmer's resignation. With Carns now out, Burnham's path to Downing Street appears clear.