Andy Burnham appears on course to become Labour leader and Prime Minister later this month after Al Carns confirmed he will not contest the party’s leadership election.
The announcement leaves Burnham, the MP for Makerfield and former Mayor of Greater Manchester, as the overwhelming favourite to succeed Sir Keir Starmer following a series of high-profile withdrawals from the race.
Carns, who resigned from government last month following disagreements over defence spending, had previously suggested he was considering a leadership bid. However, speaking to Sky News on Wednesday evening, he indicated that Labour should avoid a lengthy internal contest and instead unite behind a single candidate.
He said the party needed to “get on the boat and row in the same direction” if it was to make the most of the years ahead.
Leadership nominations formally opened on Thursday, but Carns acknowledged that he had not secured the backing of the 81 Labour MPs required to reach the ballot paper. He said he had not actively campaigned for support, although he claimed many colleagues had encouraged a broader discussion about Labour’s future direction.
Carns argued that a prolonged leadership contest could create unnecessary division within the party at a time of significant international uncertainty. While stepping aside, he called for greater attention to defence, foreign affairs and national resilience, areas he has consistently championed.
He also praised Burnham’s record, pointing to his leadership during the Covid pandemic, his handling of the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack and Greater Manchester’s economic growth.
Carns is the latest senior Labour figure to withdraw from leadership speculation. Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary, and Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, have both also decided not to stand.
Streeting had initially suggested he would consider entering any leadership contest, but later threw his support behind Burnham following the latter’s victory in the recent Makerfield by-election.
Jones, who had been viewed by some Labour moderates as a potential continuity candidate, likewise declined to run and publicly backed Burnham.
With no major challenger emerging, Burnham is widely expected to secure the leadership once the nomination process concludes.
The prospect of an uncontested succession has prompted criticism from the Conservatives. Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative Party Chairman, described the situation as a “zombie government” and questioned why the leadership timetable had not been shortened given the apparent absence of serious opposition to Burnham’s candidacy.
Despite the outcome appearing largely settled, Labour MPs still have several days to submit nominations before the formal process concludes.
Meanwhile, Burnham has begun setting out his priorities for government. Writing in The Times, he pledged to focus a planned £15 billion increase in defence spending on British industry, arguing that investment should support domestic manufacturing and help drive economic regeneration across the country.
The former Greater Manchester mayor has also signalled that strengthening Britain’s defence capabilities and industrial base will be central themes of his premiership should he formally take office later this month.
