In a video posted on Thursday, Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham said it was ‘all starting to feel very real’ while Keir Starmer praised his likely successor
Andy Burnham is on course to be PM after already securing the support of more than 300 Labour MPs to take over as the party’s leader.At the close of the first day of nominations, Mr Burnham said he is “deeply grateful” to have won 322 backers in the race to succeed Keir Starmer in Downing Street.
It almost eliminates the possibility of a rival challenging the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor – paving the way for his coronation in just over a week.Under Labour’s rules, MPs must win the backing of 20% of the party’s 403 MPs – or 81 MPs – to throw their hat into the ring for the leadership. If one more MP backs Mr Burnham, it would become impossible for another challenger to reach the threshold despite nominations remaining open until July 15.
In a post on X, Mr Burnham said: “I am deeply grateful to the 322 Labour MPs who have put their trust in me and nominated me for Leader of the Labour Party. Their support comes from across the PLP and reflects a shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics.
“That is the circuit breaker I am offering: power out of Westminster, an economy rewired for ordinary people, and good growth in every postcode.
“I want to empower MPs to bring the experiences of their constituents into the heart of government, and harness the full breadth of our Labour movement, drawing on all its traditions and beliefs in pursuit of a common purpose.”
Earlier, ex-defence minister Al Carns, who was the last remaining Labour MP mulling a challenge, confirmed he would not stand against him.In a video on Thursday, Mr Burnham said it was “all starting to feel very real” while the outgoing PM Mr Starmer praised his likely successor.Asked whether Mr Burnham would make a good prime minister, Mr Starmer told reporters: “Yes, I do. I have known him a long time, I’ve worked with him when I first came to Parliament, in his team directly.”It comes after Mr Burnham’s close ally Louise Haigh said he had been working on his plan for Downing Street for at least a year.The former Transport Secretary – tipped for a major role in a Burnham Cabinet – insisted the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor had a blueprint for his first 100 days in No10.Appearing on the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast, Ms Haigh was asked how long Mr Burnham had been thinking about what he might do as Prime Minister.She replied: “I don’t think I am breaking any state secrets to say Andy has been thinking and has had his ambition, his ambitions have been clear for some time.”She added: “Of course he’s run for leader twice before, so this is hopefully, touch wood, third time, third-time lucky. So he’s, you know, he’s been thinking about this and certainly planning for this, for this moment, for at least a year.”Asked on whether there was a plan for the first 100 days, Ms Haigh said: “Yes, of course there’s a plan.” But she added: “I’m not going to tell you about it here.”Ms Haigh – a crucial figure in Mr Burnham’s victorious Makerfield by-election campaign – has been involved in transition talks with the civil service in recent weeks.She has been working alongside Mr Burnham and James Purnell, who is set to be the new No10 chief-of-staff, with a focus on national security, the economy, and devolution.It follows the admission from Mr Starmer’s ex-chief-of-staff, Morgan McSweeney, that Labour did not enough to prepare for power in the run-up to the 2024 general election.He said early mistakes including the decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners, “defined the government in a way that really did us a lot of damage”.Ms Haigh rejected claims Mr Burnham was “unprepared or inexperienced” because of his nine years away from Westminster while Mayor of Greater Manchester.She said: “He has spent that time thinking very deeply about how the country is run, what holds regions like Greater Manchester, and therefore most regions and the devolved nations of this country, back. He has got very, very clear ideas and a plan to put that right.”