Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Prime Minister, paving the way for Andy Burnham to take over the reins at No10.
Sir Keir, who has spent the weekend mulling his political future, has asked Labour’s governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, beginning on July 9, and ending by the summer recess to “ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September”.
He said he would do all he can to ensure an “orderly” transition of power and that becoming Prime Minister was the “proudest moment of my life”.
His voice cracked during an emotional speech outside No 10 Downing Street on Monday.
London Labour MPs piled pressure on Sir Keir to lay out a timetable for him to quit, starting a process of the UK installing its seventh prime minister in a decade.
His position as PM looked increasingly untenable after Mr Burnham’s decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Burnham is due to be sworn in at Westminster as the Greater Manchester constituency’s MP on Monday.
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Burnham sworn in as MP
Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the Labour MP for Makerfield following last week’s by-election.
He met former defence secretary John Healey on his way to the Commons chamber, hugging and exchanging some brief words.
Mr Burnham was then met by huge cheers from the Labour benches as he entered a crowded Commons, taking the oath alongside new SNP MP Lara Bird and new Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden.
He bowed his head several times, grinning as he was greeted by supportive MPs.
Andy Burnham was greeted by a media frenzy at London’s Euston Station and left by taxi as he headed to Westminster to be sworn in as the MP for Makerfield.
Mr Burnham’s train arrived 21 minutes late at 1.30pm and it was a full 16 minutes until he exited the station into a black cab through an underpass at 1.46pm.
Lucy Powell MP was seen smiling as she left the station from the same train through a corridor of photographers and journalists at 1.32pm.
Around 50 journalists, photographers and videographers were waiting to greet Mr Burnham through the pedestrian exit of platform 13.
Reeves: 'There is more to do'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership as she said “there is more to do”.
She posted on social media: “From taking our party from the worst defeat in modern history, Keir Starmer turned it around and delivered a landslide majority just four years later.
“That was thanks to the public trusting us on the economy and on security, and thanks to our commitment to investing in every part of our country, in our public services and rebalancing the economy so it works for working people.
“Our economy is now better protected from global instability. We were the fastest growing G7 economy at the start of the year, we’ve had six interest rate cuts and inflation has held steady.
“We have achieved a lot together to be proud of, and there is more to do. I am grateful for Keir’s leadership and the work he has done to build a stronger, more secure Britain.”
More MPs pay tribute to Starmer
More MPs have made statements following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement this morning.
Labour MP for Bournemouth East Tom Hayes said Sir Keir Starmer is a “decent man, committed to his country, motivated by public service”.
He added: “Britain is stronger despite Donald Trump and the cost-of-living crisis made worse by his war. As a colleague of the Prime Minister said, it can take leaders years to grow into the statesman he became in two years.
“The Prime Minister has listened to the local election results. I wish Keir Starmer well. I think more people will feel more positively about him as we reflect on his service in the knowledge that it is ending.”
Luke Akehurst, MP for North Durham, said history will likely be “kinder to Keir Starmer than the opinion polls have been”.
Mr Akehurst added: “He achieved what many said was impossible by taking Labour from a broken party, morally compromised by antisemitism and extremism, at the end of the Corbyn era, to a landslide win.
“The important thing now is the unity of the party as we attempt to recover lost supporters by delivering on the issues that voters care about: the cost of living, controlling immigration, improving public services, reindustrialising our left behind regions, and rearming to defend the UK in an era of dangerous military threats.”
Meanwhile, Camborne and Redruth MP Perran Moon, who in May signed a letter in support of Sir Keir Starmer staying on, simply said: “What have we done?”
Burnham could run unopposed
Wes Streeting’s announcement that he will back Andy Burnham for Labour leader suggests that the former Greater Manchester mayor could run unopposed.
While it is conceivable that another challenger could come forward, no one else has publicly signalled an intention to stand, and any other MP would also need to get the support they would need to be a candidate.
Sir Keir Starmer said that he will ask the Labour Party's National Executive Committee that nominations for the party's new leader open on July 9, and for the process to be completed "by the summer recess", which is a week later, on July 16.
Should Mr Burnham run unchallenged when the contest opens, he could become Labour leader after nominations close.
Burnham confirms he will run for PM
Andy Burnham has posted on X to confirm that he will be running for Labour leader.
He also thanked Sir Keir Starmer for his leadership, while adding that the country now expects “stability” and “seriousness”.
He wrote: “Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.
“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.
“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.
“As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be. People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.
“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.”
Streeting backs Burnham for leader
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced that he is backing Andy Burnham for Labour leader.
Mr Streeting resigned from the cabinet in May, in what was seen as a move to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership himself.
However, in a post on X he has now confirmed that he is behind Mr Burnham.
He said that had “spoken at length with Andy in recent days”, and that 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.”
What would Andy Burnham mean for London?
Andy Burnham is the favourite to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister of the UK.
What would Andy Burnham as Prime Minister mean for London? You can read the full story here.
Cabinet members pay tribute to Starmer
A number of cabinet ministers have paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer following his announcement that he will resign as Prime Minister.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “The Labour Party and the country owes a great deal to Keir Starmer.
“Brought Labour back from its worst result in living memory. Won a majority at a general election which history shows does not happen often for Labour leaders. And led the country through difficult times.”
While Housing Secretary Steve Reed posted on X: “Keir Starmer brought Labour back from the brink, won a landslide majority against all the odds, and is changing Britain for the better.
“Thank you Keir, we are proud of you.”
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said the Labour Party “mustn’t forget the lessons of our successive defeats”.
He said: “I was proud to stand on Downing Street with the Prime Minister this morning. And I’m proud of the Britain that this Labour government is working to deliver – a country where power, wealth and opportunity is shared amongst the many and not the few.
“Keir Starmer brought our Labour Party back from the brink into government after 14 years in opposition.
“He did so because the public trusted us on the economy and on national security, and because they voted for our manifesto.
“My party mustn’t forget the lessons of our successive defeats, and must remember why and how we won only two years ago.
“Whatever happens next, we can be grateful for Keir Starmer’s leadership and the work his government has done to put Britain back on a path to a brighter future.
“We wish Keir and his family all the best for what comes next, and remain forever grateful for what he has done for my party and for our country.”
SIR KEIR STARMER TO RESIGN AS LABOUR LEADER
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a timetable for his resignation as Prime Minister.
He says this will ensure there is a new leader in time for parliament’s returns in September.
He also said he will give the new leader his full support.