Andy Burnham to become UK prime minister as Labour lurches further left after Starmer’s resignation
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Andy Burnham, a figure associated with left-leaning policies and big government, is set to take over as UK prime minister after Keir Starmer steps down and Labour’s Wes Streeting abandons a challenge, signaling a shift away from moderation.
London – In a move that signals Labour’s continued drift to the left, Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester known for his support of expansive government intervention and progressive causes, is set to become the United Kingdom's prime minister within weeks. This comes after Keir Starmer, whose leadership failed to inspire the public and party alike, resigned and Wes Streeting, a former health secretary with more centrist credentials, chose to endorse Burnham rather than contest the leadership.
Starmer, who presided over falling poll numbers and growing internal dissent, announced his resignation on Monday, informing King Charles III and pledging to stay on for an orderly transition. Although a leadership contest was scheduled to run until September, Streeting’s capitulation to the party’s left means Burnham is likely to take power as soon as mid-July, giving little time for scrutiny or debate.
Burnham recently secured a parliamentary seat by winning a by-election in Makerfield, defeating the Reform UK candidate and further consolidating Labour’s grip on power. Streeting, echoing the party’s push for unity at the expense of real debate, stated, "> We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our Party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too."
Starmer, who had tried to steer Labour toward the center and restore economic credibility, cited the need for new leadership before the next general election. He touted improvements in the economy and party reforms, but these were not enough to stave off pressure from the party’s left-wing factions.
Labour officials are expected to rubber-stamp the leadership timetable later this week, clearing the way for Burnham to take office soon after MP nominations close, raising concerns among many about the direction of the country under an even more left-leaning Labour government.