Andy Burnham’s bid to become the next Prime Minister has taken one step ahead. Another gathered potential Labour leadership rival ruled himself out of the race.
The former Greater Manchester Mayor, who recently entered Parliament as the new MP for Makerfield, is now widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Sir Keir Starmer following the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Senior Labour minister Darren Jones has confirmed he will not stand in a leadership contest against Burnham, saying discussions about the former mayor’s economic plans had reassured him. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also ruled himself out earlier this week, leaving Burnham with a potentially clear path to the top job.
If no rival secures enough nominations before the Labour leadership deadline on July 16, Burnham could be elected unopposed and become Prime Minister within days.
Support for Andy Burnham appears to be growing across the North East, with several Labour MPs publicly backing him while others remain undecided or have called for a wider contest before a new Prime Minister is chosen.
Among those supporting Burnham is Newcastle Central and West MP Dame Chi Onwurah, who said: “If Andy can bring to the country the level of economic growth, housing, and transport transformation that he has in Manchester then I know my constituents will feel better off.”
Hexham MP Joe Morris also backed Burnham, saying the former Greater Manchester mayor “must be allowed to unite the party and deliver on Labour’s promise to people across the UK”.
Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne described Burnham’s election victory in Makerfield as “an opportunity to drive change both in the Labour Party and in the country”, while Easington MP Grahame Morris said Burnham’s experience in government and local leadership made him “best placed to deliver the leadership and change our country urgently needs”.
Not all MPs have rushed to endorse a candidate. South Shields MP Emma Lewell confirmed she would support Burnham but said she would be disappointed if he became leader without a contest, arguing that both MPs and the public should have the opportunity to scrutinise his policy platform.
Meanwhile, several MPs have either declined to endorse a candidate or have yet to publicly declare their support, as the race to succeed Sir Keir Starmer continues.
