North East MPs have begun rallying behind Andy Burnham, with the former Greater Manchester mayor seemingly on course to become the UK's next Prime Minister. The newly-elected MP for Makerfield confirmed on Monday morning that he would stand for the Labour leadership, shortly after Sir Keir Starmer announced that he will resign and ensure an “orderly” handover of power in Downing Street.
Burnham Gains Key Backing
With ex-health secretary and potential leadership rival Wes Streeting having quickly pledged his backing in the upcoming leadership contest, it appeared by the afternoon that Mr Burnham could run unchallenged and be set for coronation by mid-July. Joe Morris, Labour’s MP for Hexham, said: “Keir has shown dignity and grace today. He led our party from the ashes of a crushing defeat in 2019 into government. That is no small achievement.
“However, the time has come for him to step down. We must come together as a party to deliver for the British people, as we were elected to do in 2024. It is clear that Andy Burnham must be allowed to unite the party and deliver on Labour's promise to people across the UK. He will have my full support.”
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne has also backed Mr Burnham, saying his commanding win over Reform UK in last week’s by-election was “an opportunity to drive change both in the Labour Party and in the country”.
Starmer's Emotional Exit
In an emotional address outside 10 Downing Street on Monday morning, Sir Keir said he had considered “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”. He continued: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Sir Keir, whose departure less than two years after taking Labour to a historic election win will mean the UK will have a seventh Prime Minister in a decade, said he would ask Labour’s National Executive Committee to set out a timetable that would put a new leader in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer recess on September 1. But if Mr Burnham is the only candidate who can secure the support of the 81 MPs required to get on the ballot, he could be crowned as Sir Keir’s successor next month.
Mixed Reactions from North East MPs
Chi Onwurah, Labour’s MP for Newcastle Central and West, said: “Keir Starmer's resignation speech was both dignified and passionate, as befits a man who has done so much for his country and his party. It was the right decision and now it is time to move forward in the interest of the British people to deliver the leadership the country needs.” She later praised Mr Burnham’s record of “growth and infrastructure” in his decade as mayor.
But Mary Glindon, who represents Newcastle East and Wallsend, said she was “gutted” by the Prime Minister’s departure and cautioned that Labour “won’t get away with not calling a general election”, given that a successor will not have a direct mandate from the public.
Praise and Criticism for Starmer
Sir Keir’s education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, paid tribute to her departing boss – saying he had “brought Labour back from electoral oblivion, has restored our reputation abroad, stabilised the economy and will lift half a million children out of poverty”.
But long-term critic Ian Lavery accused him of having left Labour “on the brink of extinction” following a catastrophic set of local election results last month. The Blyth and Ashington MP added: “On a human level, it is difficult not to feel some sympathy for the Prime Minister this morning. However, even in stepping down, it is disappointing to see him double down on the transformation of the Labour Party that has left it on the brink of extinction.
“It is simply untrue to suggest that the party he inherited was financially bankrupt, and it is equally difficult to accept lectures on political and moral bankruptcy from someone who has relied so heavily on Peter Mandelson as a political crutch. Since entering government, any positive achievements by Labour have too often been overshadowed by missteps and incompetence at the heart of government.”
Calls for Change and Local Concerns
Starmer ally Luke Akehurst, the MP for North Durham, said he believed that “history will probably be kinder to Keir Starmer than the opinion polls have been”. Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth called Sir Keir “a good man” who “transformed the Labour Party, eradicated the stain of anti-semitism, and took us back to power”.
David Smith, the MP for North Northumberland, has called for a “proper leadership contest that focuses on ideas and vision, and is not just about personalities”. Scott Dickinson, who leads the Labour group on the county council, warned that “for too long, too many decisions have been made without enough regard for the North, and that has to change”.
Coun Dickinson added: “My priority is not who occupies an office in Westminster. My priority is ensuring that the people of Northumberland see real improvements in their lives and that government continues to deliver for working people, families, pensioners and young people who want to build their future here at home.”
Glen Sanderson, the Conservative leader of Northumberland County Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The last two years have been extremely disappointing, what with cancelling improvements for the A1, detrimental welfare reforms, increased taxes for all, winter fuel allowances being taken from our older residents and so much more. It would be comforting if a change in Prime Minister would provide the Government with more understanding of Northumberland’s needs and a willingness to genuinely work with us in this fantastic county."
