Andy Burnham on the verge of becoming Prime Minister after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation
It appears that a coronation for Andy Burnham looks increasingly likely after his main rival ex-health secretary Wes Streeting backed him.
Andy Burnham is almost certain to become the next Prime Minister after an emotional Sir Keir Starmer announced he would resign in the coming weeks.
Sir Keir acknowledged he had lost the support of his MPs and promised an “orderly handover of power” to his successor in a tearful statement on the steps of Downing Street.
The Prime Minister got emotional when speaking about his wife Victoria and their children, saying he will spend more time on "the most important job" of being a husband and father.
Sir Keir had spoken to the King and said there would be a new Labour leader and Prime Minister by September.
However, it now appears that could happen within weeks as opposed to months, as Mr Burnham’s challengers rowed in behind him.
Sir Keir’s announcement this morning came just hours before Mr Burnham arrived in Westminster following last week’s success in the Makerfield by-election, to be sworn in as the area’s new MP.
Mr Burnham said Sir Keir’s resignation “marks the beginning of a transition”.
He said: “The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose.
“This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.”
It appears that a coronation for the former Greater Manchester mayor looks increasingly likely after his main rival ex-health secretary Wes Streeting backed him.
If Mr Burnham is the only candidate to receive the support needed to stand in the contest for the vacant Labour leadership, he could become prime minister in mid-July.
Mr Streeting quit the Cabinet in protest at Sir Keir’s leadership and had indicated he would be prepared to fire the starting gun on a contest to oust him if he did not voluntarily quit.
He said he had spoken with Mr Burnham “at length” and concluded he could “win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism”.
He added: “We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs.”
Mr Burnham played down calls for a general election from Nigel Farage and others, saying “you’re jumping several hurdles ahead there,” when asked by reporters.
A spokesperson for the new MP for Makerfield also denied there has been any “discussion of Cabinet jobs with individuals”.
Sir Keir’s statement followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence.
While his decision remained unclear earlier today, ministerial allies and Number 10 staff gathered in Downing Street shortly before 9.30am in an indication Sir Keir was preparing to announce his resignation.
In a statement that competed with a protester playing the EU anthem Ode To Joy, Sir Keir said his party had asked “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”.
He said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Defending his record, he pledged to give his successor “my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago”.
With a wavering voice, he added: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”
A new occupant of Downing Street will mean the UK will have had five prime ministers in the last four years, and seven since David Cameron resigned 10 years ago to the day tomorrow.