Andy Burnham could be installed as prime minister by 17 July, filling the vacancy left by Sir Keir Starmer, after a Labour timetable that appears to leave no room for a rival. The party’s ruling body has set a schedule that allows potential candidates from 9 July to collect the backing of 81 MPs, with nominations from affiliated bodies due by 16 July. If only one candidate meets the threshold — and Burnham is the only Labour MP so far to declare — the new leader will be announced at a special conference on 17 July, before being appointed by the King.
The likelihood of a coronation rather than a contest has grown as senior figures rule themselves out. Darren Jones has said he will not stand; Wes Streeting, who had previously indicated he would run, gave his backing to Burnham on Monday. Former Armed Forces minister Al Carns has yet to confirm a bid. Burnham has already secured support from cabinet ministers including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Health Secretary James Murray. That weight of endorsement has raised the prospect that no other MP will be able to gather the 81 nominations needed to trigger a full ballot.
“Andy Burnham could be prime minister by 17 July as Labour leadership timetable narrows the race to a single candidate.”
The race has also been shaped by Burnham’s recent political reinvention. He won the Makerfield by-election earlier this month in a seat that voted Leave by two to one, despite having been a vocal Remainer as Mayor of Greater Manchester. During the campaign he made the “wise decision not to 're-run' the old arguments”, a position that helped him secure 24,927 votes against the 35 of the Rejoin EU Party candidate. His shifting stance on Europe has not gone unnoticed. Two days after his by-election victory, the “March for Rejoin” descended on Westminster. Its speakers included Neil Kinnock and Layla Moran, but Burnham did not attend.
Harriet Harman has suggested that Ed Miliband should become Burnham’s chancellor, while Burnham continues to mull his cabinet picks. Meanwhile, Sir Keir has said he wants an “orderly” transition and has authorised civil servants to meet prospective leadership candidates. His official spokesperson denied that the administration has become a “zombie government”, insisting: “The prime minister and all ministers remain in office and the normal business of government continues.”