The frontrunner to be the UK’s next prime minister, Andy Burnham, was sworn in as a member of parliament Monday, a key step in his bid to replace Keir Starmer.
Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister on Monday after fewer than two years in office, as calls mounted for the unpopular leader to step down after Burnham won a vital by-election last week.
Burnham could be installed in 10 Downing Street in just over three weeks after would-be rival Wes Streeting said he was backing the ex-Manchester mayor for the premiership.
Starmer’s voice cracked during an emotional speech outside his official residence, as he conceded he had lost the support of his Labour party MPs after just two years in office.
He said he had informed head of state King Charles III of his decision to resign so that a new Labour leader, and therefore prime minister, could be elected.
