Reeves Backs Burnham for Prime Minister

British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves has endorsed Andy Burnham as the next prime minister after he became the sole official candidate to succeed Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation on Monday.

Starmer said he would oversee a smooth transition after mounting pressure following poor polling and disappointing local election results. The Labour Party leadership contest is set to begin on 9 July.

Reeves, a longtime ally of Starmer, dismissed speculation that she could lose her position or be moved to a less senior role under a Burnham government. She said the incoming prime minister would decide the composition of the cabinet.

The finance minister also said she was prepared to provide targeted, temporary support with energy bills later this year.

She added that the next prime minister should maintain the current fiscal rules, including balancing the current budget and reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio. Burnham has previously indicated that he intends to keep those rules in place.

(reuters, bak)