Andy Burnham could become Prime Minister as early as next month if no one stands against him to become the new Labour leader. After weeks of growing pressure, Sir Keir Starmer this morning (Monday, June 22) announced he was stepping down as PM.
In an emotional statement outside Number 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir said his party had asked 'whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.' He said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Resignation and Timetable
Sir Keir said he would ask Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) to set out a timetable for choosing his replacement. He announced that nominations would open on July 9, the day after he is expected to return from a Nato summit in Turkey, and close to the start of the summer recess on July 16.
Any candidate wishing to enter the contest must secure the backing of 81 Labour MPs, 20 percent of the party's strength in parliament. They then need to receive nominations from either five percent of constituency Labour parties, or three affiliated organisations (which must include two trade unions) which represent five percent of affiliated membership.
Burnham's Path to Power
If Mr Burnham is the only candidate by the time nominations close on July 16, he would then become the party's new leader and the Prime Minister without the need for a contest. Supporters of Mr Burnham are said to be hoping for a 'coronation'. If any other candidates make it onto the ballot, a contest will be triggered. Mr Starmer said a new leader would be in place by the time parliament returns from its summer recess on September 1.
Potential Rivals
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has repeatedly insisted he has the 81 names required to mount a leadership bid, and has spent the weeks since his resignation setting out his stall. Former Royal Marines officer Al Carns, who quit as armed forces minister in a row over defence funding and the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans, has also hinted he would seek to enter a leadership race, although it is unclear whether the MP – who was only elected in 2024 – has the supporters required to get on the ballot paper.
Burnham's Return to Parliament
Mr Burnham is due to travel to London today to be sworn in as Makerfield's MP after winning the by-election in the Wigan seat on Thursday. That is after a speech to staff at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, following the end to his tenure as the region's mayor.
Mainstream's Reaction
Mainstream, a grouping of Labour MPs largely aligned with Mr Burnham, described the Prime Minister’s exit as a “final chance” for Labour. Mainstream’s interim council said: “The Labour Party now has a chance to turn a corner and make good on its promise of change. But we must be clear: this is our final chance. What comes next must be a genuinely transformative political project. It must be bold in its offer to the country, and resolutely opposed to the internal culture of insularity and factionalism that has taken Labour to this point. We will be consulting our members about what they would like to see happen next.”
