Burnham poised to become Labour leader and UK prime minister after overwhelming backing

Andy Burnham, newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield, is set to become Labour leader and Britain’s prime minister after securing unassailable backing from 349 Labour MPs—well above the 81 needed to nominate. With Keir Starmer having resigned, Burnham will formally take the leadership on Friday and assume the premiership on Monday. He pledges a major shift of power to the regions and a focus on growth and regeneration, but he lacks a fresh electoral mandate and faces internal party turmoil and questions about Starmer’s exit and reforms.