Andy Burnham is almost certain to be the next Prime Minister after 322 Labour MPs nominated him to become party leader, including a vast number from London.
MPs started nominating their preferred candidate to replace Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday, and no other candidate has yet stood against the former Greater Manchester mayor.
The Makerfield MP is just one short of the 323 nominations needed before it is mathematically impossible for a rival to run against him.
Even before nominations opened, Mr Burnham seemed almost certain to enjoy a coronation as Labour leader and the result gives him 80% support of the Parliamentary party already.
Even if a late challenger appears now, they have virtually no hope of securing the required nominations.
If no one else enters the contest, as is expected, Burnham will be declared Labour leader next week before taking office as Prime Minister on 20 July.
Mr Burnham said he was “deeply grateful” to the MPs who had backed him, saying their support “comes from across the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) and reflects a shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics”.
He added: “I want to empower MPs to bring the experiences of their constituents into the heart of government and harness the full breadth of our Labour movement, drawing on all its traditions and beliefs in pursuit of a common purpose.
“I want to thank every colleague who has nominated me for their commitment to that vision.”
Almost every member of the Cabinet backed Mr Burnham, as did former health secretary and London MP Wes Streeting and former armed forces minister Al Carns who had previously been regarded as potential challengers.
At least 43 of Labours 59 MPs in London have already endorsed Andy Burnham for Labour leader and are believed to have nominated him today.
London Labour MPs outside of those in the cabinet who confirmed they had nominated him included Kensington and Bayswater MP Joe Powell.
He wrote on X: “I know Andy has what it takes to unite people in this country in a hopeful vision that rejects the politics of division and negativity. I look forward to supporting him to tackle the cost of living, promote economic growth and improve living standards for all.
“One of my priorities when I was elected two years ago was to fight in Parliament for Truth, Justice and Change for the Grenfell community. Andy has been a powerful advocate for the Hillsborough families over many years. After decades of institutional failure and cover-up, his commitment to giving ordinary people a voice when powerful institutions have failed them is exactly the kind of leadership that our country needs.”
Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan wrote: “He has a record of delivery as Mayor of Manchester, as well as the vision needed to bring the Labour family together and take the country forwards.”
Cities of London and Westminster MP, Rachel Blake wrote: “ After speaking listening to many local constituents, today I’ve nominated Andy Burnham to be Leader of the Party.”
Key Starmer ally Steve Reed, the MP for Streatham and Croydon North, was one of only four Cabinet members who did not nominate Mr Burnham on Thursday, along with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, both of whom have been spoken of as potential chancellors, and party chairwoman Anna Turley, according to the Press Association.
But this does not necessarily mean they do not support Mr Burnham, as nominations must be made in person or through a limited number of proxy votes and Mr Reed has previously suggested his support.
As nominations opened on Thursday, Sir Keir told reporters he thought Mr Burnham would make a good prime minister, saying they had known each other “a long time”.
The Prime Minister said he had worked closely with Mr Burnham on the Investigatory Powers Bill when the latter was shadow home secretary in 2015, adding the legislation was “really important in terms of the powers and capabilities that our security and intelligence services need”.
He also referred to their collaboration since 2024 on Northern Powerhouse Rail, which he said was “an example of devolution at its best”, and Mr Burnham’s response to the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue last year.
Sir Keir said: “Andy was the first person I phoned to find out what was happening, where things were at.
“When I went to Manchester, I spent the whole time with him, with the community and with others. So, I’ve always worked very well with Andy.”
Asked whether Mr Burnham would be a better prime minister than him, Sir Keir replied laughing: “These are things best judged by other people.”
Nominations remain officially open until July 16 and, in the absence of any other candidates, Mr Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on July 17 and is expected to become prime minister on July 20.
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham set out more of his vision for British foreign policy and signalled a tougher stance towards Israel over its military operations in Gaza.
In a video on social media, he apologised for Labour’s previous stance, saying his party “didn’t get it right” and the UK had been “too slow to call for a ceasefire”.
Mr Burnham suggested that his government would “do more to strengthen our approach”, including “looking at further sanctions, both on those involved in the violence in Gaza, but also looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements”.
Labour’s initial response to the treatment of Gaza caused huge hurt. We got it wrong and I am sorry for that. pic.twitter.com/MtQxhp71J3
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 9, 2026
His comments followed an article in The Times in which he said he would seek stability in foreign policy, setting out his commitment to Nato, the nuclear deterrent, maintaining close ties with the US and support for Ukraine as well as closer relations with the EU.
