Seven Welsh Labour MPs were among the 78 members of the parliamentary Labour Party who did not publicly back Andy Burnham to become the next prime minister, despite the former Manchester mayor securing over 80% of support from Labour MPs.
Burnham Secures Overwhelming Backing
A total of 322 Labour MPs nominated the new Makerfield MP to become the next Labour leader by the 5pm deadline on Thursday, the first day nominations opened. Mr Burnham was the only declared candidate in the race to succeed Sir Keir Starmer, making his coronation as leader almost certain. Even if a late challenger emerged, they would have virtually no hope of securing the required nominations.
Mr Burnham said he was “deeply grateful” to the 322 MPs who backed him, stating their support “comes from across the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) 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, drawing on all its traditions and beliefs in pursuit of a common purpose.”
Welsh MPs Who Did Not Endorse Burnham
Seven of Wales' 27 Labour MPs did not nominate Burnham. The full list is:
- Chris Evans, Caerphilly
- Catherine Fookes, Monmouthshire
- Gill German, Clwyd North
- Carolyn Harris, Neath and Swansea East
- Gerald Jones, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
- Jessica Morden, Newport East
- Steve Witherden, Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr
Other Prominent Labour Figures Among Non-Backers
Among the 78 MPs who did not endorse Burnham were several high-profile Labour figures, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, and Jess Phillips. Other notable non-backers include Sir Keir Starmer himself, Tulip Siddiq, and Nadia Whittome.
The full list of non-endorsing MPs includes a cross-section of the party, from left-wing figures like Richard Burgon and Apsana Begum to more centrist MPs such as Neil Coyle and Meg Hillier.
Burnham's Path to Leadership
With 322 nominations, Burnham now has a clear path to becoming Labour leader and, barring an upset, the next prime minister. The support from over 80% of the parliamentary party gives him a strong mandate to take over from Sir Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation after Labour's performance in recent elections.
