Andy Burnham was mobbed by crowds and press as he boarded a train at Manchester Piccadilly station to head to Westminster. The Makerfield MP is heading to London to be sworn in as the constituency's MP following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation earlier today.
Burnham mobbed by supporters at station
He first visited the Greater Manchester mayor's office this morning and said goodbye to colleagues before he headed to the train station. There he was mobbed by crowds as two police officers escorted him to his train. As a Manchester Evening News reporter asked him if he would be prime minister by July, he smiled and said: "Getting sworn in as MP for Makerfield is the most important thing today."
Burnham wore a t-shirt and jeans and smiled as he arrived at the station. The former Greater Manchester mayor, who will bid for Labour leadership, shared a post on X thanking Sir Keir following his resignation.
Burnham thanks Starmer, calls for stability
He said the country now expects 'stability' and 'seriousness'. Posting on X, he said: "Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period. His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process."
"The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get. As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be. People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people's lives."
"The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose. This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country."
Streeting backs Burnham for leadership
Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who had been viewed as Mr Burnham's main rival for the Labour leadership, said he would back the new Makerfield MP for the job. He said he had 'spoken at length with Andy in recent days'. Mr Streeting said he was convinced that Mr Burnham 'is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions and that he can win the fight of our lives against the force of nationalism'.
Calling for a coronation for Mr Burnham, he said: "We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy too."
