Andy Burnham is about to become the next prime minister of the United Kingdom. On 9 July 2026, 322 out of 403 Labour MPs nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer as party leader, just one short of the number needed to make a rival candidacy mathematically impossible. With no other declared candidate, Burnham is expected to be confirmed as Labour leader next week and take office as prime minister on 20 July. It is a remarkable ascent for the former mayor of Greater Manchester, who only returned to Parliament weeks ago via a by-election win in Makerfield. But who is Andy Burnham, and what does he want to do with power?
Andy Burnham was first elected as an MP in 2001, serving as culture secretary and health secretary under Gordon Brown's government. After Labour's 2010 defeat, he stood for the party leadership but lost to Ed Miliband. In 2017, he was elected mayor of Greater Manchester, a role he held until 2026. During his mayoralty, he became a prominent figure, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Hillsborough disaster inquests. In May 2026, heavy Labour losses in local elections and a by-election victory for Burnham led to calls for Sir Keir Starmer to stand aside. Starmer resigned on the day Burnham was sworn in as MP for Makerfield, saying he had heard the answer to the question of whether he was "best placed to lead us into the next general election".
“Andy Burnham is set to become prime minister. This explains his rise and policies.”
Burnham's platform centres on a radical devolution of power from Westminster. In his first speech as a leadership candidate, he promised the "biggest-ever rebalancing of power" away from Whitehall, branding the UK one of the "most over-centralised countries in the world". He proposes a new No 10 unit based in Manchester tasked with giving English regions more control over housing and transport, and extending devolution deeper in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. On the economy, he wants to enable local areas to take "greater public control" of water and energy sectors, citing Greater Manchester's bus franchising model. He has not called for full nationalisation, but has backed direct public ownership of Thames Water. In housing, he promises the "biggest council house building" programme in decades.
For UK readers, Burnham's premiership marks a break from the past decade of Westminster politics. His emphasis on devolution could shift power from London to the regions, affecting how services like transport and housing are managed locally. His plans for public ownership of utilities may lead to lower bills but also significant upfront costs. The speed of his rise—from local mayor to prime minister in weeks—also raises questions about democratic mandate, as he will become PM without a general election. However, his backers argue his popular mayoral record and policy proposals offer a fresh start.
Q: How did Andy Burnham become Labour leader so quickly? After Sir Keir Starmer resigned following heavy local election losses, Burnham—the only declared candidate—secured nominations from 322 of 403 Labour MPs. Candidates need 81 MP nominations to stand, and the deadline is the following Wednesday. With no rivals, Burnham will be declared leader next week.
Q: What are Andy Burnham's key policies? His signature policy is a massive devolution of power from Westminster to English regions, including a new No 10 unit in Manchester. He also supports greater public control of water and energy, using a franchising model like Greater Manchester's buses, and a major council house building programme.
Q: Will there be a general election? No. As leader of the largest party, Burnham will become prime minister automatically when Starmer formally resigns. Under UK constitutional convention, a new PM is appointed by the monarch without a public vote. The next general election is not required until December 2029 at the latest.
What happens next Candidates have until Wednesday 14 July to submit nominations. If no rival emerges, Burnham will be confirmed as Labour leader and then appointed prime minister on 20 July. He has joked about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's by-election in Clacton, where Labour is boycotting the vote. His policy advisor, Labour MP Miatta Fahnbulleh, has been described as the "brains" behind his policies, but detailed legislation will only become clear once he takes office.