Andy Burnham to run to be next Labour leader after Starmer quits as PM

WorldPolitics
22 Jun 2026 • 6:27 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Andy Burnham to run to be next Labour leader after Starmer quits as PM

  • Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, with a party leadership contest set to begin on 9 July.
  • Sir Keir stated his intention for a new leader to be in place by 1 September, coinciding with Parliament's return from its summer recess.
  • Wes Streeting has publicly backed Andy Burnham to be the next Labour leader, praising his commitment to an inclusive party and his potential to counter nationalism.
  • Andy Burnham is returning to Parliament following his decisive victory in Thursday’s Makerfield by-election, where he secured a significant majority over Reform.
  • Sir Keir explained his resignation by acknowledging that his parliamentary party questioned his suitability to lead them into the next general election, a decision he accepted.

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