Rachel Reeves Backs Andy Burnham for Prime Minister as 17 July Handover Looms

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 25

Rachel Reeves said she is backing Andy Burnham to become prime minister, even as reports suggest he could move her from chancellor to a junior cabinet post.
Burnham, sworn in this week as MP for Makerfield, is the only declared Labour leadership candidate and could take office as soon as 17 July if unopposed.
Reeves said any decision on her future role would be Burnham's, while stressing she stands ready to deliver targeted, temporary energy-bill relief in the autumn.
Fiscal rules remained her main message: Reeves said the next leader must keep day-to-day spending funded by tax revenue and cut debt as a share of GDP, commitments Burnham has also backed.
The endorsement comes days after Keir Starmer resigned following senior cabinet departures, opening a succession race as Labour tries to project continuity on the economy.