Andy Burnham is set to become the next UK prime minister after emerging as the sole candidate for the Labour leadership, marking the first uncontested contest since Gordon Brown in 2007. The new MP for Makerfield secured 349 nominations from fellow Labour MPs, far surpassing the 81 needed, making it impossible for any other candidate to stand.
Overwhelming Support from Labour MPs
Burnham, who returned to Westminster in June after serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester for nine years, received backing from 322 MPs on the first day of nominations alone. The nominations process closed at 6pm on Thursday, July 16, and Burnham will be announced as Labour leader during a special conference on Friday, July 17. He is expected to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday, July 20, after Starmer formally resigns to the King.
Potential Rivals Step Aside
Several potential contenders, including Wes Streeting, Darren Jones, and Al Carns, chose not to stand, citing the need for party unity and a swift transition of power. Streeting, who had been seen as Burnham's main rival, 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." He added that Burnham is "committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions."
Darren Jones ruled himself out despite claiming enough MP backing, stating that a contest would not give the winner enough time to prepare a budget for the autumn. Al Carns, a former Royal Marines officer and junior minister, also backed Burnham, saying a three-month contest was "probably not the best use of Labour's time." He praised Burnham's handling of the Manchester Arena attack and the city's economic trajectory.
Calls for Unity and Swift Transition
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds backed Burnham, arguing the party needed "someone with a track record of delivering change" and "somebody who is best placed to defeat Reform at the next general election." He suggested a contest would not be in the country's best interests, calling for a "swift transition" of power.
Conservative Criticism
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticized the timing of Burnham's coronation, calling for him to face questioning before the summer recess. She accused the "prime minister in waiting" of not addressing new defence plans and other major global issues. Badenoch urged Burnham to delay Parliament's recess by a "day or two" so MPs can ask questions about his agenda.
