New Delhi: Following the resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, attention has quickly turned to who would now succeed him. One man is being
seen as the frontrunner for that post, Andy Burnham, a veteran Labour politician, former cabinet minister and one of the most popular regional leaders in Britain. Burnham is now widely viewed as the leading candidate to take over both the Labour Party and the country.
Burnham, 56, has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017 and recently returned to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election, a victory that cleared the path for a leadership bid. He has confirmed he will contest the Labour leadership race triggered by Starmer’s departure.
From Labour loyalist to top contender
Born in the Liverpool area in 1970, Burnham joined the Labour Party as a teenager and later studied English at University of Cambridge. He entered Parliament in 2001 and rose through the ranks under former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, serving in several senior cabinet roles, including Health Secretary.
Despite losing Labour leadership contests in 2010 and 2015, Burnham remained a prominent figure. His political standing grew significantly after becoming Greater Manchester’s first elected mayor. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he gained national attention by openly challenging the central government’s policies and demanding greater support for northern England.
His strong advocacy for regional investment, transport reforms, homelessness initiatives and local decision-making earned him the nickname ‘King of the North’, a reference to his influence across northern England.
Why is he the favourite?
Several factors have made Burnham the leading contender. He is seen by many Labour members as a stronger communicator and campaigner than Starmer, with an ability to reconnect the party with working-class voters. His popularity extends beyond Labour’s traditional base, and he has built a reputation as a politician focused on practical issues rather than only issues related to the politics of the capital.
His position was strengthened further when former health secretary Wes Streeting publicly backed his leadership bid and ruled himself out of the race. Labour nominations are expected to open in July, and if Burnham faces little opposition, he could enter Downing Street as early as next month.
