Members of Parliament across the North East have begun rallying behind Andy Burnham to become the next Prime Minister, while paying tribute to Keir Starmer’s leadership following his resignation.
Starmer announced on 22 June that he would step down as Labour leader and Prime Minister after mounting pressure within the party following Labour’s heavy losses in the May local elections.
Although many Labour MPs praised Starmer for rebuilding the party and leading it back into government, several also acknowledged that a new direction was now needed. Joe Morris, Labour MP for Hexham, said Starmer had led Labour “from the ashes” after the party’s defeat in 2019, but added that the time had come for him to step aside.
Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham emerged as the clear early favourite to succeed him, receiving backing from MPs across the region within hours of announcing his leadership bid.
“It is clear that Andy Burnham must be allowed to unite the party and deliver on Labour’s promise to people across the UK. He will have my full support,” Joe Morris added.
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne also endorsed Burnham, describing his recent by-election victory in Makerfield as an opportunity to bring change both to Labour and to the country.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Central and West MP Chi Onwurah described Starmer’s resignation speech as “dignified and passionate”. She said it was the right decision and praised Burnham’s record on growth and infrastructure during his decade as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
However, Starmer’s time in office did not go unnoticed. Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth described him as “a good man” who transformed Labour, tackled antisemitism within the party and returned it to power.
North Durham MP Luke Akehurst said history would likely judge Starmer more kindly than current opinion polls, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson credited him with restoring Labour’s reputation internationally and delivering progress in government.
Not all reactions, however, were supportive.
Blyth and Ashington MP Ian Lavery argued that Labour had been left “on the brink of extinction” following recent electoral setbacks and criticised the direction taken under Starmer’s leadership.
Elsewhere, Newcastle East and Wallsend MP Mary Glindon said she was “gutted” by the Prime Minister’s departure and warned Labour may face pressure to seek a fresh mandate from voters once a new leader is installed.
The endorsements come after former Health Secretary Wes Streeting also ruled himself out of the leadership race and publicly backed Burnham, further strengthening the former mayor’s position.
As Labour begins the process of selecting its next leader, the early signs suggest Andy Burnham is rapidly becoming the unity candidate around whom much of the party is rallying.
