Burnham promises Labour MPs he will not use party discipline to ‘stifle debate’

Prime minister in waiting looks to address frustrations backbenchers had with Keir Starmer's style of party management

Andy Burnham has promised MPs that he will never use party discipline to stifle debate" and says they should raise problems and policy ideas without fear or favour".

Nominations for the Labour leadership will open on Thursday, and Burnham is expected to be the only candidate. On Wednesday night the former armed forces minister Al Carns confirmed he would not seek to enter the race to replace Keir Starmer.