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Andy Burnham has emerged as the clear frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer after gaining broad Labour backing. The contest now tests whether Labour can steady itself after another leadership upheaval in Brexit-scarred Britain.
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London,UPDATED: Jun 23, 2026 15:28 IST
Ten years after the Brexit referendum set the UK on a new course outside the European Union, the political turmoil linked to that vote is still being felt as the country prepares for its seventh prime minister in a decade.
Keir Starmer, now serving as caretaker Prime Minister after losing the confidence of Labour MPs and resigning, has set out a three-week process to choose his successor. As things stand on Tuesday, newly elected Makerfield MP Andy Burnham appears to be the clear frontrunner, with strong backing from party members and growing support from senior Labour figures.
"Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period," Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, said. "His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process," he said.
Burnham was formally sworn in as an MP in the House of Commons soon after Starmer's emotional resignation speech at 10 Downing Street on Monday. It marked his return to Westminster after two unsuccessful attempts to win the Labour leadership.
His position was strengthened further when former health secretary Wes Streeting backed him for the top job. "I've also been setting out ideas to change our country... Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I'm convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership," Streeting said.
"We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him deliver the change our party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too," he added, signalling the possibility of a shorter contest.
Under Starmer's timetable, Labour's Executive Committee will open nominations for the leadership between July 9 and 17, with a new party leader and prime minister to be installed at 10 Downing Street by September. However, some of Starmer's close allies are working behind the scenes to encourage other candidates to enter the race so that Burnham's ideas are fully tested and he is not elected unopposed.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones is among those said to be preparing a challenge when nominations open. Al Carns, a former armed forces minister who recently resigned over differences with Starmer on defence funding, is also said to be considering a run.
Even so, with hundreds of MPs openly backing Burnham, the contest is expected to be used mainly to press him to set out his plans in greater detail. "People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people's lives," Burnham has said.
Burnham, 56, studied at the University of Cambridge and made his name as a Labour MP under former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Seen as a socialist with a Left-leaning agenda, he later left Westminster to become Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he spent the past nine years and earned the title of "King of the North".
As pressure mounted on Starmer, Burnham emerged as one of the strongest internal critics, while his allies in the Commons worked on what a change of direction for Labour would involve. The key moment came when Josh Simmons resigned as MP for Makerfield, triggering a by-election that opened the way for Burnham's return to Parliament and a run for the party leadership.
Burnham then secured a solid Labour win in Makerfield against a rising Reform UK, in a vote widely seen as a test of Starmer's leadership. "In many ways, he's a popular local mayor, just as Boris Johnson was a popular mayor in London just a few years ago. But what really happened here is it was 'vote Burnham, get Starmer out'," Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said after his party's heavy defeat.
Farage is now calling for a general election "as soon as possible", saying Burnham has "no mandate whatsoever" to lead the country and accusing him of "flip-flopping" on policies. For now, the focus remains on Labour's leadership process, with Burnham in a commanding position as the party moves to choose Starmer's successor.
With PTI Inputs
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jun 23, 2026 15:28 IST
