Andy Burnham was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield on Wednesday, following his victory in a recent byelection. The ceremony in the House of Commons was marked by a mix of cheers and heckles from fellow MPs, including Conservative MP Desmond Swayne who shouted 'Rome is saved,' along with other cries of 'saviour' and 'turning water into water.'
Political Context and Leadership Bid
The swearing-in occurred just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation, prompting Burnham to confirm his candidacy for the Labour leadership. Burnham, who previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely seen as a frontrunner to succeed Starmer.
Wes Streeting, the Shadow Health Secretary, publicly backed Burnham's bid to become Labour leader and eventually Prime Minister. In a statement, Streeting said, 'Andy has the vision and experience to unite our party and lead the country. I am proud to support him.'
Byelection Victory and Reaction
Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with a significant majority, securing over 60% of the vote. The victory was seen as a test of Labour's strength under Starmer's leadership, which had been under pressure following recent electoral setbacks.
The heckling during Burnham's swearing-in drew attention, with some MPs reportedly shouting 'saviour' in a sarcastic tone. Labour sources dismissed the interruptions as 'typical Conservative antics' and emphasised Burnham's focus on his new role and leadership campaign.
Starmer's Resignation and Labour's Future
Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister came two years after his historic election victory, which ended a decade of Conservative rule. In his resignation speech, Starmer cited personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with his family.
The Labour Party now faces a leadership contest, with Burnham considered the leading candidate. Other potential contenders include Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner, though neither has formally announced a bid.
