Darren Jones has ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest after holding a private conversation with Andy Burnham, saying he was “reassured” by the front-runner’s economic plans. The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister told Sky News he was “flattered by the support from colleagues, whether MPs or other important stakeholders in the party”, but confirmed he would not be a candidate. Jones made clear that a contest would not leave sufficient time for the winner to prepare for an autumn budget, one of several factors that weighed on his decision.
Jones stressed that his decision not to stand did not reflect a lack of pressure from within the party. He revealed that “upwards of 100 MPs” had expressed concerns about the direction of policy, or were “feeling pretty depressed” in the wake of Keir Starmer’s resignation on 22 June. Speaking directly about his last conversation with Burnham, Jones said: “Look, MPs are asking me to stand. I’m not going to but they’re asking me to stand for a reason, and that’s because they want you to set out more about your economic policy.” He urged the Greater Manchester Mayor to provide greater detail on his economic programme, a call that comes as Burnham prepares to deliver a major speech on the economy next week.
The Labour leadership contest is being conducted under party rules triggered by Starmer’s departure. Candidates require nominations from 20% of the Parliamentary Labour Party – currently 81 MPs – plus backing from 5% of Constituency Labour Parties or at least three affiliates. The nomination window opened on 9 July and closes on 16 July. If only one candidate is nominated, a new leader will be appointed as early as 17 July; otherwise a ballot using the alternative vote system will run through the summer recess, with a result expected by 1 September. Burnham, who secured a return to Parliament by winning the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, is the only MP so far to have formally declared. Wes Streeting, previously tipped as a rival, has endorsed him. Yvette Cooper and Angela Rayner have both been mentioned as potential contenders, though Rayner’s allies have largely swung behind Burnham. Former defence minister Al Carns, who resigned amid a dispute over defence spending in June, has indicated he is “pretty serious” about standing, but doubts remain over his ability to gather the necessary MP nominations.
Darren Jones sets out tests for the next chancellor
Jones used the interview to outline a series of demanding criteria for whoever becomes chancellor under the new Labour leader – and in doing so appeared to send a pointed warning about the potential candidacy of Ed Miliband for the Treasury role. Asked directly for his view of Miliband as chancellor, Jones replied: “I’m not going to get into personalities.” But he then listed what he described as “tests” that any occupant of Number 11 must meet, and declined to say whether the former Labour leader satisfied them. “I will let you mark those tests,” he told the interviewer, “but those are the tests I think need to be met.”
The first test, Jones said, is that the next chancellor must have “a clear view about the political economy” and understand “how the Treasury works”. He argued that the relationship between the chancellor and the prime minister is critical because “in many circumstances the chancellor in the Treasury is more powerful than the prime minister in Downing Street”. As a result, the chancellor must be someone who can “enable the delivery of the prime minister’s priorities and not try to control the prime minister”. Jones added that the chancellor also needs to be able to “reassure the markets, reassure the trade unions and reassure the parliamentary Labour party, and by extension the public”.
The criteria carry added weight given Jones’s own background at the Treasury. He served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury from July 2024 to September 2025 and currently holds the roles of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. Before entering government he chaired the House of Commons Business and Trade Select Committee. Supporters of Jones had already voiced concerns about the prospect of Miliband as chancellor, warning it risked a negative market reaction. Some of those same MPs had pressed Jones to run in order to avoid a “coronation” for Burnham and force greater scrutiny of his economic proposals.
Burnham’s own economic agenda remains a source of anxiety among sections of the parliamentary party. His approach, described as “Manchesterism”, is built around devolution, long-term planning and “good growth”, with an emphasis on greater state intervention and public ownership of utilities. Allies have proposed reversing privatisation and taking over failing utilities, a plan that has alarmed some market participants who fear higher borrowing. Jones’s call for Burnham to set out more detail is seen as a direct response to those concerns. The next leader’s economic policy will also need to operate within existing fiscal rules, with Rachel Reeves’s framework expected to remain in place despite lingering unease about borrowing levels.
Jones himself is a lawyer by profession, specialising in technology law, and grew up in Bristol. He studied human bioscience at Plymouth University before moving into the legal field, working for BT Plc. He is married with three daughters. With the leadership race now entering its decisive nomination phase, his decision not to stand removes one of Burnham’s most credible potential challengers – but leaves the front-runner facing sustained pressure to spell out exactly what an economic policy under a Burnham-led Labour Party would look like.
