Andy Burnham is on the verge of becoming the next prime minister of the United Kingdom after securing nominations from 322 Labour MPs, representing 80% of the parliamentary party. The threshold for a challenger to enter the race is 81 nominations, but with outgoing leader Keir Starmer unlikely to nominate anyone, there are effectively no undeclared MPs left to support an alternative.
Overwhelming Support from Labour MPs
By 5pm on Thursday, the first day of formal nominations, Burnham had already amassed 322 backers. Even before nominations opened, he was the only declared candidate following Starmer's resignation on June 22. The scale of his support means a late challenger has virtually no hope of securing the required nominations.
Burnham, born in Old Roan and raised in Warrington, expressed his gratitude: "I am deeply grateful to the 322 MPs who have nominated me. Their support comes from across the PLP and reflects a shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics." He added, "I want to empower MPs to bring the experiences of their constituents into the heart of government and harness the full breadth of our Labour movement."
Cabinet and Potential Challengers Back Burnham
Almost every Cabinet member endorsed Burnham, including former health secretary Wes Streeting and former armed forces minister Al Carns, both previously seen as potential challengers. Streeting ruled himself out minutes after Burnham announced his candidacy, while Carns declined to run on Wednesday.
Key Starmer ally Steve Reed was one of only three Cabinet members not to nominate Burnham on Thursday, along with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and party chairwoman Anna Turley. However, this may not indicate opposition, as nominations require in-person or limited proxy votes.
Starmer's Endorsement
As nominations opened, Starmer told reporters he believed Burnham would make a good prime minister, noting their long acquaintance. He highlighted their collaboration on the Investigatory Powers Bill in 2015 and Northern Powerhouse Rail since 2024, as well as Burnham's response to the Heaton Park synagogue attack last year. "Andy was the first person I phoned to find out what was happening," Starmer said. When asked if Burnham would be a better prime minister, Starmer laughed and replied, "These are things best judged by other people."
Timeline and Foreign Policy Vision
Nominations remain open until July 16. If no other candidate emerges, Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on July 17 and is expected to become prime minister on July 20.
Burnham has also outlined his foreign policy vision, signalling a tougher stance on Israel regarding Gaza. In a social media video, he apologised for Labour's previous stance, saying the party "didn't get it right" and the UK was "too slow to call for a ceasefire." He proposed "looking at further sanctions, both on those involved in the violence in Gaza, but also looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements." In a Times article, he pledged stability in foreign policy, commitment to Nato, the nuclear deterrent, close US ties, support for Ukraine, and closer EU relations.
