UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns, Andy Burnham set to succeed him
Keir Starmer stepped down Monday under months of pressure. Andy Burnham, the popular Mayor of Greater Manchester, has declared his candidacy and secured the backing of the only other contender, clearing a smooth path to No. 10.
Keir Starmer resigns after months of pressure
Keir Starmer, 63, announced his resignation from the leadership of the Labour Party and the premiership on Monday, his voice choking with emotion. His position became untenable after his rival Andy Burnham won a parliamentary seat on Thursday. Starmer said he would stay on until a successor is chosen, pledging a smooth handover.
All decisions I have made had the goal of putting the country I love first. That is why I am resigning as leader of the Labour Party.
Burnham declares, Streeting withdraws
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a long-time Labour figure, was elected MP for Makerfield on Thursday with 54.8% of the vote, defeating the Reform UK candidate's 34.5%. On Monday he confirmed his candidacy to succeed Starmer. Wes Streeting, the former health minister and the only other declared candidate, immediately endorsed him. The Labour National Executive Committee will open formal nominations on July 9 and expects the process to conclude before the summer recess begins on September 1.
Keir Starmer's decision marks the beginning of a transition. I stand as candidate.
We can roll up our sleeves and help him implement the change our party and our country need. That is the choice I am making, and I hope everyone will support Andy.
A swift path to Downing Street
With Streeting's withdrawal, a contested internal election appears unlikely. Burnham could enter No. 10 as early as 17 or 18 July, becoming the country's seventh prime minister in ten years. Labour retains a large parliamentary majority, so no general election is required until 2029, despite immediate calls for one from Nigel Farage, the leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, which has been leading opinion polls for months.
- Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election with 54.8%
- Keir Starmer resigns as Labour leader and prime minister
- Labour NEC opens formal nominations
- Leadership process likely to conclude (before summer recess)
- Burnham expected to enter Downing Street as PM
The making of the 'King of the North'
Burnham, 55, was born in Liverpool in 1970 and served as an MP for nearly two decades, holding ministerial posts under Gordon Brown. He lost Labour leadership bids in 2010 and 2015 before becoming the first Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017. His political identity centres on devolution and giving cities more power. The COVID-19 pandemic turned him into a national figure when he fought Boris Johnson's government over tier 3 lockdown restrictions, securing £60 million in compensation for low-paid workers.
You can't live on two-thirds of your salary.
The British edition of Vogue declared him an "improbable sex symbol", noting his crumpled shirts, Adidas Gazelle trainers and lack of ties. His image as a man of the people has made him, according to YouGov, Britain's most popular politician.
Challenges ahead
Nigel Farage's Reform UK continues to rise in polls, and Burnham's immediate task will be to contain its appeal. He campaigned on a promise to "change the Labour Party and the country". Phoebe Plugge-Porter, a 28-year-old medical student in London, told AFP that Starmer's promises had not materialised and that Burnham is "best placed" to tackle the Reform surge. Labour's focus now shifts to a rapid transition before Parliament breaks for summer.
