Burnham on brink of No. 10 after Starmer's exit

Andy Burnham, Britain's newest MP and the favourite to become the country's next prime minister, was meeting Labour colleagues on Tuesday as preparations began for a leadership contest in which he could emerge as the sole candidate.

Burnham is the overwhelming frontrunner to succeed Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced on Monday that he would step down as Labour leader within weeks after two years in office marked by political missteps and declining public support.

The former Cabinet minister, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, won a parliamentary by-election last week with the stated aim of challenging Starmer for the party leadership.

His prospects received a further boost on Monday when former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, widely viewed as his strongest potential rival, announced he would back Burnham instead of standing himself.

Under Britain's parliamentary system, the governing party can replace its leader – and therefore the prime minister – without calling a general election. The next national poll is not due until 2029.

Nominations for the Labour leadership will open on 9 July and close a week later. If Burnham is the only candidate, he could become prime minister by 17 July. If there is a contest, the winner is expected to be in place before Parliament returns from its summer recess on 1 September.

Burnham yet to unveil economic vision

Although Burnham has earned a reputation as a popular and effective mayor, many of his national policy positions remain unclear.

He oversaw a period of rapid regeneration in Greater Manchester and has pledged to replicate his model of "Manchesterism" across the country. Many Labour members believe his political instincts, communication skills and charisma could reconnect the party with voters in a way Starmer's more managerial style failed to do.

However, some Labour MPs argue that a contested leadership race would provide an opportunity for greater scrutiny of Burnham's policies before he takes office.

He is expected to outline his economic agenda in a speech next week.

Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who resigned this month over what he described as inadequate defence spending, said Britain needed "a clear and concise discussion about what this country wants to be."

Carns has suggested he may stand for the leadership but told ITV he was "not ready to make a decision on this in any way, shape or form."

Others have floated the name of senior Cabinet minister and Starmer ally Darren Jones, although he has yet to indicate whether he will run.

Any candidate must secure the backing of at least 81 Labour MPs — one-fifth of the parliamentary party — to enter the contest.

Many senior Labour figures argue that a lengthy leadership battle would only expose internal divisions and prolong political uncertainty.

"I think the transition should be swift and orderly," Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told the BBC.

Starmer bows to mounting pressure

Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after spending the weekend reflecting on his future, acknowledging that the Labour Party no longer believed he was "best placed to lead us into the next general election."

He became the sixth British prime minister in a decade to announce an early departure outside No. 10 Downing Street. His resignation comes as Britain marks the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, a decision that continues to shape the country's political and economic landscape.

After weeks of insisting he would fight to remain in office, Starmer eventually bowed to growing pressure from within Labour to make way for a leader capable of reviving the government's fortunes.

Although he led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, both his personal approval ratings and the party's popularity have fallen sharply since taking office.

Starmer has struggled to deliver the economic growth he promised, improve strained public services and ease the cost-of-living crisis. His premiership was also undermined by a series of political misjudgements, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson, a controversial associate of Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain's ambassador to the United States.

Labour has also lost support among liberal voters to the Green Party while facing growing pressure from Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, which has consistently topped recent national opinion polls.

Andy Burnham, Britain's newest MP and the favourite to become the country's next prime minister, was meeting Labour colleagues on Tuesday as preparations began for a leadership contest in which he could emerge as the sole candidate.

Burnham is the overwhelming frontrunner to succeed Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced on Monday that he would step down as Labour leader within weeks after two years in office marked by political missteps and declining public support.

The former Cabinet minister, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, won a parliamentary by-election last week with the stated aim of challenging Starmer for the party leadership.

His prospects received a further boost on Monday when former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, widely viewed as his strongest potential rival, announced he would back Burnham instead of standing himself.

Under Britain's parliamentary system, the governing party can replace its leader – and therefore the prime minister – without calling a general election. The next national poll is not due until 2029.

Nominations for the Labour leadership will open on 9 July and close a week later. If Burnham is the only candidate, he could become prime minister by 17 July. If there is a contest, the winner is expected to be in place before Parliament returns from its summer recess on 1 September.

Burnham yet to unveil economic vision

Although Burnham has earned a reputation as a popular and effective mayor, many of his national policy positions remain unclear.

He oversaw a period of rapid regeneration in Greater Manchester and has pledged to replicate his model of "Manchesterism" across the country. Many Labour members believe his political instincts, communication skills and charisma could reconnect the party with voters in a way Starmer's more managerial style failed to do.

However, some Labour MPs argue that a contested leadership race would provide an opportunity for greater scrutiny of Burnham's policies before he takes office.

He is expected to outline his economic agenda in a speech next week.

Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who resigned this month over what he described as inadequate defence spending, said Britain needed "a clear and concise discussion about what this country wants to be."

Carns has suggested he may stand for the leadership but told ITV he was "not ready to make a decision on this in any way, shape or form."

Others have floated the name of senior Cabinet minister and Starmer ally Darren Jones, although he has yet to indicate whether he will run.

Any candidate must secure the backing of at least 81 Labour MPs — one-fifth of the parliamentary party — to enter the contest.

Many senior Labour figures argue that a lengthy leadership battle would only expose internal divisions and prolong political uncertainty.

"I think the transition should be swift and orderly," Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told the BBC.

Starmer bows to mounting pressure

Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after spending the weekend reflecting on his future, acknowledging that the Labour Party no longer believed he was "best placed to lead us into the next general election."

He became the sixth British prime minister in a decade to announce an early departure outside No. 10 Downing Street. His resignation comes as Britain marks the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, a decision that continues to shape the country's political and economic landscape.

After weeks of insisting he would fight to remain in office, Starmer eventually bowed to growing pressure from within Labour to make way for a leader capable of reviving the government's fortunes.

Although he led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, both his personal approval ratings and the party's popularity have fallen sharply since taking office.

Starmer has struggled to deliver the economic growth he promised, improve strained public services and ease the cost-of-living crisis. His premiership was also undermined by a series of political misjudgements, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson, a controversial associate of Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain's ambassador to the United States.

Labour has also lost support among liberal voters to the Green Party while facing growing pressure from Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, which has consistently topped recent national opinion polls.