News / Politics
Darren Jones tipped for possible Labour leadership bid
Bristol North West MP Darren Jones is among Keir Starmer’s most loyal lieutenants, with Jones’ role of chief secretary to the prime minister created by Starmer in 2025.
Jones was one of the people watching on from Downing Street on Monday as Starmer announced he would be resigning when a successor is chosen.
And on Tuesday, Jones was being tipped in some quarters as considering a leadership bid in order to prevent newly elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham from being given the keys to Number 10 unopposed.
If Jones does stand, it will mean that a formal Labour leadership contest will need to be held.
But it’s a big if, with other cabinet ministers understood to have urged Jones not to run – which if nobody else does will lead to a coronation for Burnham and Jones likely to be looking for a new job in Westminster.
Jones, 39, who grew up in Lawrence Weston, has been MP for Bristol North West since 2017, the same year that Burnham left the House of Commons to become mayor of Greater Manchester.
Main photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
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