- Former health secretary Wes Streeting , who had been viewed as Andy Burnham ’s main rival for the Labour leadership, said he would back the new Makerfield MP for the job.
- Sir Keir laid out his resignation plan in an address outside Number 10 this morning, setting 9 July as the start date for a party leadership contest.
- Streeting said he had “spoken at length with Andy in recent days” before adding he was convinced that Mr Burnham “is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions and that he can win the fight of our lives against the force of nationalism”.
- Calling for a coronation for Mr Burnham, he said: “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. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy too.”
- 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.
IN FULL
