Andy Burnham will today become Labour leader. The Makerfield MP will take the top party job on Friday (July 17) and become Prime Minister on Monday (July 20).
Burnham's Path to Leadership
The former Greater Manchester mayor, who has long-held ambitions for top office, returned to the Commons last month after winning the Makerfield by-election. Sir Keir Starmer, who began his tenure in July 2024, announced his resignation in June and pledged to carry on as Prime Minister until a replacement could be found.
Mr Burnham was the only Labour MP to throw their hat in the ring. He will secure the Labour leadership today after receiving the backing of 349 MPs, passing the 323 threshold making it mathematically impossible for a rival to run against him.
Nomination Process
MP nominations closed at 6pm on Wednesday (July 16). Mr Burnham then needed the backing of at least three of the 31 socialist societies and trade unions associated with Labour by 6pm on Thursday (July 17), though that was a formality.
As the leadership declaration is on Friday, the keys to Number 10 Downing Street will be handed over the next working day, Monday. Sir Keir will formally tender his resignation to King Charles at Buckingham Palace, before the monarch invites Mr Burnham to form a new government.
Implications and Next Steps
Parliament went into recess on July 16, meaning Mr Burnham will not address MPs as Prime Minister until they return at the beginning of September.
Mr Burnham will be announced as the new Labour leader in a special conference from 12pm. In his speech at a special party conference in London, Mr Burnham will say his government will be "unashamedly Labour in our priorities" and have the "courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected."
