After Keir Starmer announced he is resigning as the British Prime Minister, the name of Andy Burnham has emerged as the top frontrunner to succeed him, multiple media outlets reported. Burnham is no stranger to Labour leadership contests, and more than 10 years ago, he ran twice, unsuccessfully, for the top job.Andy Burnham returned to Parliament last week after winning the Makerfield by-election and is seen as one of the most recognisable figures of the Labour Party. His victory marks a return to the House of Commons after nearly a decade spent governing Greater Manchester as its mayor.ALSO READ: He used his airline to rescue refugees from Pakistan, donated 300 acres to IndiaWho is Andy Burnham?Born in Liverpool in 1970, Burnham grew up in Culcheth, a quiet commuter-belt village in Cheshire near Warrington, according to the BBC. His father worked as a BT engineer and his mother was a GP receptionist. Both were strong supporters of the Labour Party.After completing his graduation, he began his career in journalism, working for trade magazines such as Tank World and Passenger World Management, the report stated. In his early 20s, he moved into politics, taking up his first role as a researcher for the late Tessa Jowell.ALSO READ: How four teenagers accidentally discovered a 19,000-year-old cave filled with more than 2,000 ancient paintingsBurnham quickly rose through the ranks, later becoming a special adviser to Culture Secretary Chris Smith before being elected as the Member of Parliament for his hometown of Leigh in Greater Manchester in 2001.He first served as a junior minister under Tony Blair and went on to join the Cabinet under Gordon Brown, holding senior roles including Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary, and Health Secretary.Andy Burnham has been the Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. Previously, he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2007 to 2008, Culture Secretary from 2008 to 2009 and Health Secretary from 2009 to 2010. Burnham is considered Keir Starmer's biggest rival.Why is he called "King of North"?Andy Burnham’s nickname emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.In 2020, he publicly challenged the government of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson over financial support for northern regions affected by lockdown restrictions. Burnham argued that the government’s response disproportionately favoured London and the South East, while failing to provide adequate support to workers and businesses in northern England.Burnham’s confrontation with Westminster received widespread media coverage, elevating him into a symbol of northern resistance to what many saw as a London-centric political establishment.Supporters later embraced the title “King of the North”, a reference to the popular television series Game of Thrones, in which northern leaders often challenge rulers based in the fictional capital of King’s Landing. The label has followed Burnham ever since.How Mayor Burnham reshaped Greater ManchesterAs mayor, Burnham focused heavily on regional devolution and improving public services across Greater Manchester. His leadership has often been associated with a stronger push for local control, aiming to reduce reliance on central government decision-making and give the region more autonomy in shaping its own future.One of his most visible achievements is the expansion of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s integrated public transport system. The initiative brought buses and trams under a unified framework with simplified fares, making travel more connected and easier for commuters across the region.Beyond transport, Burnham also championed skills development programmes, local economic growth, and initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing. Supporters argue that these efforts helped strengthen Greater Manchester’s national profile and demonstrated that devolved governance can deliver practical, on-the-ground improvements for residents.However, his tenure has not been without criticism. Some observers point to unmet targets on homelessness and argue that certain transport reforms were already in progress before he took office, raising questions about how much of the change can be directly attributed to his leadership.Recent win bolsters his path to become UK PMBurnham's stunning victory in a special election in Makerfield on Friday cleared the path for him to challenge the Prime Minister. The victory also reportedly triggered discussions between Starmer and his allies about whether he could win a challenge against Burnham or not.