Reeves backs Burnham to become next prime minister
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed Andy Burnham to be the next prime minister, despite reports he could demote her to a junior cabinet position if
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed Andy Burnham to be the next prime minister, despite reports he could demote her to a junior cabinet position if he becomes the Labour Party leader. "I'm supporting Andy to be prime minister," she told the BBC. Burnham, who was sworn in as the member for Makerfield earlier this week, is expected to replace Reeves as chancellor if he becomes prime minister.
So far, he is the only candidate to have put their hand up for the Labour leadership. Reeves acknowledged it was up to Burnham whether she stayed on as chancellor, but said she stood ready to provide targeted, temporary relief on energy bills in the autumn. Asked about reports that Burnham would offer her a more junior role in his cabinet, Reeves reiterated her support for the newest member of Parliament.
"I'm not going to pre-empt the decisions that the new prime minister will make. I'm backing Andy. I think he'd be a great prime minister, but those are his decisions, not mine to make," she said. Burnham is seen by many in the Labour Party as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation earlier this week following a slew of senior cabinet resignations.
If he stands unopposed, Burnham could become prime minister as soon as 17 July.
The BriefWire