Andy Burnham becomes frontrunner for Labour leader and PM as Keir Starmer resigns

Starmer’s exit

Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister and Labour leader after months of political difficulties and a sharp fall in the party’s polling. In an emotional farewell speech outside Downing Street, Starmer said he would now dedicate himself to “the most important job” of being a husband and father. He embraced his wife, Victoria, and thanked her for being “a rock at my side.” The outgoing premier will remain in office until a successor is chosen, but the timetable suggests a handover could happen within weeks.

I will dedicate myself to being the best husband I can for my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock at my side, and being the best father I can for my beautiful children.

Burnham’s path to power

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by‑election on 19 June, reclaiming a Parliamentary seat and making himself eligible to contest the Labour leadership. Within three days, Starmer had conceded and Burnham announced his candidacy. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary once viewed as his main rival, has withdrawn from the race and endorsed Burnham, all but clearing the field. If no other candidate secures the required 81 Labour MP nominations between 9 and 16 July, Burnham would be declared leader – and prime minister – as early as 17 or 18 July, avoiding a full membership ballot.

Keir has done an enormous service for our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication in such a difficult time.

Who is Andy Burnham?

Burnham, 56, served as a Labour MP from 2001 to 2017 and held ministerial posts under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. After two failed leadership bids, he left Westminster to become mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017. There, he built a reputation as a pragmatic administrator by bringing the region’s bus network back under public control, cutting the maximum bus fare from £4 to £2, and promising £39 billion in social housing investment. He has positioned himself as a champion of the North and a politician capable of reconnecting Labour with working‑class voters who drifted toward Reform UK.

There is a need for a turning point for the country and one last chance for Labour to win back voters before it is too late.

What comes next

The formal nomination window for Labour leader runs from 9 to 16 July. If Burnham remains unopposed, he would be acclaimed leader and could enter Downing Street immediately, possibly allowing Starmer to attend the EU summit in Brussels on 22 July. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has already called for an early general election, betting that the populist right can capitalise on the turbulence. Should Burnham be sworn in, he would become the first Catholic prime minister in British history.

Beyond Burnham, other names briefly floated include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and energy secretary Ed Miliband, but neither has declared a candidacy. The rapid coalescing around Burnham suggests the Labour party is seeking a swift and orderly transition after a period of deep crisis.