Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, has positioned himself as the leading candidate to succeed Keir Starmer after the British prime minister announced his resignation on Monday.
Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide victory in 2024, stepped down amid mounting pressure from more than 100 Labour MPs, saying a new leader would be in place before parliament returns in September.
Burnham, a veteran Labour politician and journalist-turned-mayor, was sworn in as MP for Makerfield just hours after Starmer’s emotional announcement at Downing Street. The 56-year-old immediately confirmed his interest in the top job.
Born in Liverpool in 1970 and raised in Cheshire, Burnham joined the Labour Party at 15 and served as an MP from 2001 before becoming Greater Manchester’s mayor in 2017. He has been re-elected twice and earned the nickname “King of the North” for his vocal advocacy for regional investment, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement following his swearing-in, Burnham paid tribute to Starmer while signalling his readiness to lead.
“Keir has given huge service to our country, and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period,” he said. “His decision marks the beginning of a transition… People want to see progress on economic growth, the cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation.”
Burnham, who previously ran for Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015, is widely seen as the frontrunner, with momentum building for what could be a swift transition. Senior figures have called for party unity as Britain faces ongoing economic and political challenges.
