Keir Starmer resignation: Andy Burnham step closer to becoming PM as Wes Streeting backs him
‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham’s path to the UK Prime Ministership became clearer following a letter issued by a potential leadership rival.
Andy Burnham’s odds of becoming the seventh prime minister of Great Britain in 10 years have narrowed dramatically after former Health Minister Wes Streeting urged the UK Labour party to unite behind the former Manchester mayor in the wake of Keir Starmer’s resignation statement.
While Sir Keir laid out the next steps for leadership contest within Labour during his resignation speech, Mr Burnham’s only likely-looking leadership rival, Mr Streeting issued a letter just an hour afterwards signalling he would not challenge him.
It could lead to Mr Burnham’s unopposed election to lead the party within weeks rather than in mid-September as previously thought.
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“We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs,” said Mr Streeting, who recently resigned from Cabinet over Sir Keir’s performance as Prime Minister.
“That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy too.”
The letter came as Mr Burnham posted an online tribute to Sir Keir where he flagged his intentions for the top job.
“Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period,” he 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.
“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.”
Mr Burnham’s rapid ascension to the top and Sir Keir’s downfall reflect a UK Labour party desperate to fend off the government’s decline in popularity which started almost straight after Sir Keir led the centre-left party to a landslide 2024 general election victory.
Since then the Prime Minister suffered plunging popularity ratings after failing to deliver promised economic growth or repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living.
He was also hamstrung by major scandals including including his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as the UK ambassador to the United States.
As a result Labour has watched it lose its liberal voters to the growing Green Party while facing a rising Reform UK, the Nigel Farage-led anti-immigration party that consistently leads in nationwide opinion polls.
