UK’s Reeves backing Burnham as next PM despite cabinet speculation
Rachel Reeves says she is ‘backing’ Andy Burnham to be the UK’s next prime minister amid speculation she could be replaced as chancellor if he takes office.
Speaking to the BBC, Reeves, who is predicted to be replaced if Burnham becomes prime minister, would not be drawn on reports she may accept another role.
‘I’m not going to pre-empt the decisions that the new prime minister will make,’ she said.
‘I’m backing Andy. I think he’d be a great prime minister, but those are his decisions, not mine to make.’
The Makerfield MP, who has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer, is reportedly yet to settle on his choice of chancellor.
Reeves added that ‘no one could doubt’ her commitment to Starmer in recent years.
‘I’ve been by his side for six years now as shadow chancellor and then as Chancellor of the Exchequer,’ she told the public broadcaster.
The chancellor said: ‘I know that whoever is prime minister and chancellor in the future will inherit a stronger economy than the one I inherited two years ago.’
Her comments came ahead of a planned address at the British Chamber of Commerce’s global annual conference on Thursday.
Few potential challengers to Burnham have emerged as the contest picks up pace.
Former armed forces minister Al Carns, who resigned earlier this month in a row over defence spending, remains a possible contender, calling for a ‘proper debate’ on the country’s future.
The Makerfield MP’s potential premiership has also attracted attention abroad.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said Burnham is ‘extremely liberal’.
The US president told reporters Burnham ‘probably won’t open up the North Sea’ for oil exploration, and that ‘the UK is dying’, signalling that the Labour MP could be facing a rocky relationship with Trump.
The Makerfield MP has been critical of Trump in the past, describing US politics as ‘polarised’ and ‘poisonous’ while on the campaign trail in June.
As rioters stormed the US Capitol in 2021, Burnham posted on X: ‘Any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now.’
By Jessica Coates, Press Association
Press Association: News
source: PA
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