Birmingham MP Al Carns not ruling out Labour leadership yet

Former defence minister Al Carns has said a major economics speech due to be given by Andy Burnham will help him decide whether to challenge the Labour leadership favourite.

The Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak said he hoped to hear “really clear and concise outcomes” for where Burnham sees the country over the next decade.

“We need to see a vision, we need to see the plan because unfortunately a vision without a plan is a dream,” he said.

“What I would like to see is where do we want to be by 2029 and where do we want to be by 2034-35.”

Carns continued: “Is it the healthiest nation in Europe, is it adding a trillion pounds onto our GDP, is national security important, how do we get the next generation to have a better deal than the last generation et cetera, et cetera.”

“And then a plan to deliver it, and it doesn’t need to be the detail but it needs to be there.

“Let’s see how that lands, let’s see how much that pulls everybody together.”

He told BBC Politics Midlands: “I’m not going to start jumping up and down until I’ve had a look.”

To take part in any leadership contest, Carns would need to secure the nominations of 81 Labour MPs, and further endorsements from Labour affiliates such as trade unions.

Other leading figures, including Wes Streeting and Darren Jones, have already decided not to run against Burnham, as momentum in the party grows behind the former Greater Manchester Mayor.…Read more by WDC NEWS 6 STAFF