Burnham sworn in as MP and enters Labour leadership race with a clear path to No 10

MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Monday, June 22nd 2026 - 18:08 UTC

Burnham could be left without serious challengers, which would speed up the process: each contender needs the backing of 20% of Labour lawmakers to run.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was sworn in on Monday as MP for Makerfield and formally launched his candidacy to lead the Labour Party and, by extension, the British government, hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation. The backing of his most likely rival, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, cleared his path and consolidated him as the favorite to succeed Starmer.

Streeting, who had resigned from the government last month and maintained that he would run in any contest, confirmed that he will support Burnham. In a statement, he said he was convinced the former mayor “can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism” and that he would build “an inclusive party.” With his main rival out of the race, Burnham could be left without serious challengers, which would speed up the process: each contender needs the backing of 20% of Labour lawmakers to run.