Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leadership race.
The former Greater Manchester mayor remains the only declared candidate to replace Keir Starmer following the Prime Minister's resignation. If no challenger secures enough support to force a contest, Burnham could become Labour leader and Prime Minister by mid-July.
Attention is now turning to what a Burnham government could look like, with reports suggesting Chancellor Rachel Reeves could be moved to a more junior Cabinet role if he takes office. A spokesperson for Burnham said no decisions had been made.
Several senior figures have already been identified as possible successors to Reeves at the Treasury. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has publicly backed Burnham's leadership bid, is among those being discussed. Other names include Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
The speculation comes as Burnham begins assembling a team around him while awaiting the outcome of the leadership process.
On Tuesday, Starmer and Burnham held talks for around an hour as the outgoing Prime Minister sought to ensure what allies described as an orderly transition of power. It was the pair's first meeting since Burnham won the Makerfield by-election.
Efforts to organise a challenge to Burnham appear to be losing momentum. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones confirmed he would not stand, saying Burnham would win a contest among Labour members.
Jones, a close ally of Starmer, said he had sought assurances from Burnham about his economic plans and was satisfied with the response he received.
However, former Armed Forces minister Al Carns has not ruled out entering the race. He said he was waiting to see more detail on Burnham's policy agenda before deciding whether to support him or launch a challenge of his own.
Despite that uncertainty, many Labour MPs now believe Burnham is on course to enter Number 10, with discussion increasingly focused on the composition of his future Cabinet rather than on whether he will secure the leadership itself.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as...
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Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leade...
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and transfer control of those areas to the Lebanese army, according to officials from both sides.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. However, Iranian officials insist access to key facilities remains contingent on a final deal and the lifting of sanctions.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Authorities in France are reporting that about 20 people have died over the weekend while swimming in unsupervised areas of rivers, lakes and coastal waters as they tried to escape the heatwave.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. However, Iranian officials insist access to key facilities remains contingent on a final deal and the lifting of sanctions.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), faces possible removal from office after a key oversight body concluded he engaged in serious misconduct involving a junior staff member.
France has confirmed its first Ebola case linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a doctor returning from a humanitarian mission tested positive for the virus, the health ministry said on Wednesday (24 June).
Ukraine said its forces had struck key energy installations inside Russia, including a gas processing plant and a helium facility in the Orenburg region, as drone assaults increased across multiple areas.
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