On the House of Commons terrace, Labour MPs were in a jubilant mood. As they bought each other pints, some kept a watchful eye on the door, craning their necks for one man: Andy Burnham, prime minister in all but name. Conversations about Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation on Monday morning were respectful and brief. 'We need an injection of positivity,' a minister remarked the following day.
Burnham confirmed his intention to stand shortly after Starmer stepped down. Under the timetable set out by Labour’s ruling body, potential candidates have from 9 July to 15 July to collect the backing of 81 MPs, and until 16 July to gather nominations from affiliated bodies. If Burnham continues to be the only MP to enter the race, the new leader will be announced at a special conference on 17 July, before being appointed prime minister by the King. If more than one candidate meets the threshold, a ballot of party members and affiliated supporters would take place between 6 and 27 August, with the result on 29 August.
“Andy Burnham is set to become PM by 17 July as Labour MPs celebrate Starmer's resignation, fearing a 'coronation' backlash.”
So far, no other Labour MP has entered the contest. Senior minister Darren Jones has ruled himself out, former Armed Forces minister Al Carns has yet to confirm a bid, and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting – who had previously said he would stand – has given his backing to Burnham. Burnham has also received support from cabinet ministers including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Health Secretary James Murray. It is looking increasingly likely that Burnham will gather so many nominations no other Labour MP will be able to stand.
But the prospect of a coronation has unsettled some. Labour MPs fear a backlash from local members who want a contest rather than anointing Burnham as prime minister. The picture of MPs lining up for selfies with him on the terrace may signal trouble ahead. He will inherit the same problems that plagued Starmer: a stuttering economy, difficult MPs, and a collapsing public realm.
Starmer has said he wants an 'orderly' transition and has authorised civil servants to meet prospective leadership candidates to help them prepare for government. Despite announcing his resignation, Starmer will remain prime minister until a new leader is elected. His official spokesperson denied the administration is a 'zombie government', insisting that 'the prime minister and all ministers remain in office and the normal business of government continues.'
Burnham’s inheritance, meanwhile, is daunting: a once-in-a-century fragmentation of the two-party system, two decades of wage repression, and a rising tax and debt burden. The mayor of Greater Manchester now faces the ultimate test of his political charisma.