British PM

Andy Burnham on course to be British PM in weeks after Keir Starmer quits

Britain could now have a new prime minister by mid-July after embattled Starmer quit — and Burnham’s main rival folded.

By Sam Francis, Dan Bloom and Matt Honeycombe-Foster

Andy Burnham, the man widely expected to replace Keir Starmer as U.K. prime minister, is on course to be running the country within weeks after a key rival for the Labour leadership folded and endorsed him.

Starmer announced his resignation as British prime minister Monday morning, bowing to pressure after Burnham, the popular former mayor of Greater Manchester, resoundingly won a by-election that would let him challenge for the leadership of the governing Labour Party.

In an at-times tearful statement outside No.10 Downing Street, Starmer — who has battled dire poll ratings and collapsing support among his own members of parliament — said he had informed King Charles III of his decision to quit.

He set out plans for a Labour leadership contest that would allow a new prime minister by September, and said he would stay in office to “ensure an orderly handover of power.” 

But in a significant move, Burnham has already been endorsed by Wes Streeting, the former cabinet minister who had been expected to be his main challenger for the job. It means it now looks almost inevitable that Burnham will become Britain’s prime minister in three and a half weeks’ time — without a full contest.

Streeting, the former health secretary, was seen as the only viable candidate who might have run in opposition to Burnham in a contest for the top job.

This is consequential not just for the shape of the race but the timing of a new administration.Many of Burnham’s allies wanted him to enter parliament in September no matter what — giving him time to firm up a policy platform.

But it now looks like he will be denied this chance. The thinking in Starmer’s camp is that, if there is a full contest, the new PM would be in office by Sept. 1. But if there is no contest the new PM would start work on July 17 or 18 — shortly after MP nominations close.

Labour’s ruling body will sign off the timetable for the contest this week. Three people familiar with its workings told POLITICO that it was likely to back this proposed timetable.

Streeting said of Burnham Monday: “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. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.”

Starmer bows out

The dramatic change in the U.K.’s political scene comes after Burnham decisively beat the right-wing Reform UK in a special election in the northern English Makerfield seat, allowing him a route back in to parliament to challenge Starmer. The scale of Burnham’s win in Makerfield significantly boosted his momentum — and dashed Starmer’s hopes of fighting on in the job.

Since coming to office with a commanding House of Commons majority in 2024, Starmer’s Labour government has repeatedly struggled to gain momentum. It suffered huge losses to Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK in local elections, has been hit by multiple scandals, and Starmer has U-turned on a series of key policies in the face of pressure from his own ranks.

“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer said outside No.10 Downing Street Monday, after reeling off his achievements as opposition leader and then in office.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace. Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party.”

Legacy

It’s a far cry from Starmer’s record in opposition. He took the reins of the Labour Party after its worst-ever general election defeat under leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn, and ended 14 years out of government by leaping forward to eclipse the Conservatives in a single parliamentary term.

Talking up his record, the outgoing prime minister said he had inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt.”

“We changed our party, ripping out the poison of anti-Semitism, restoring trust on the economy, defense and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with, not against, our national flag,” he said.

Britain now has an “economy that is stronger, growing faster than our peers” and “wages rising faster than inflation,” he added.

His voice cracking with emotion, Starmer told the crowd he was leaving “the biggest job in the country” to focus on “being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”

Starmer’s most loyal allies watched on as he gave his Downing Street statement.

Among them were Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones and Attorney General Richard Hermer. 

Jenny Chapman, the international development minister who helped Starmer win the Labour leadership six years ago, was also there.