Even though he stands one MP short of effectively becoming Britain’s next prime minister, Andy Burnham on Thursday admitted that “it’s all starting to feel very real”, even if he will have to wait until
next Friday before formally taking the first step towards the job that lies ahead.
The Makerfield MP, who is all but certain to become the next Labour leader after an overwhelming show of support from party lawmakers, will inherit many of the same challenges that confronted his predecessor — anaemic economic growth, a stubborn cost-of-living squeeze and an increasingly unpredictable ally in US President Donald Trump.
Burnham has already sought to reassure financial markets by pledging fiscal discipline, sticking to the government’s current borrowing limits and vowing to rein in Britain’s ballooning welfare bill.
Nicknamed the “King of the North” after winning three consecutive elections as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham said he had secured nominations from 322 of Labour’s 403 MPs on the opening day of the leadership contest, leaving him just one short of guaranteeing that he would be the sole candidate.
“It’s all starting to feel very real,” Burnham said in a short video announcing that he had formally nominated himself.
Just been in to nominate myself… hopefully third time lucky 😂 pic.twitter.com/I6n7FS0JFr
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 9, 2026
Nominations for the Labour leadership close next Thursday. Burnham is expected to be formally declared Labour leader the following day and is set to become Britain’s next prime minister on July 20.
Once Burnham reaches the 323-nomination mark, no other contender will be able to secure the minimum 81 MP nominations required to enter the contest.
Several Labour MPs who were unable to cast their nominations on Thursday have already indicated they will back Burnham when Parliament reconvenes on Monday, making his path to the leadership appear little more than a formality.
Burnham’s route to the top job was effectively cleared on Wednesday after former junior defence minister Al Carns announced he would not contest the leadership.
Starmer announced his resignation last month following Labour’s disappointing performance in May’s local elections, which intensified calls within the party for a change in leadership and direction.
