Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the new Labour MP for Makerfield, hours after Sir Keir Starmer announced he would resign as Prime Minister following pressure from Labour MPs.
Burnham entered a packed House of Commons to loud cheers from Labour MPs, underlining the level of support he now appears to command inside the party. He took the oath after newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird and Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden.
The former Greater Manchester mayor smiled as he moved through the chamber, bowing his head several times while being greeted by supportive MPs. He also exchanged words with Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle as he formally became the MP for Makerfield.
His return to Westminster has come at a dramatic moment in British politics. Starmer’s resignation has triggered a Labour leadership race, and Burnham is now widely seen as the favourite to replace him as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
Burnham confirmed shortly after Starmer’s resignation that he would stand to replace him. His path was strengthened further when former Health Secretary Wes Streeting ruled himself out and endorsed him.
Streeting had been expected by some Labour figures to launch his own campaign after leaving Starmer’s Cabinet last month. Instead, he said he would back Burnham, arguing that Labour should avoid spending the summer fighting over small differences.
In a statement, Streeting said he had spoken at length with Burnham in recent days and believed his ideas on “progressive capitalism” could have a place under Burnham’s leadership.
He said Burnham was committed to building an inclusive party and could lead Labour in what he described as a major fight against nationalism.
His decision is a major boost for Burnham and could reduce the chances of a long leadership contest. If no serious challenger emerges, Burnham could be confirmed quickly and become Prime Minister as early as July. If there is a full contest, Labour expects a new leader to be in place before Parliament returns in September.
After arriving in Westminster, Burnham refused to be drawn into whether he would call a snap general election if he becomes Prime Minister.
Asked about the issue, he suggested that such questions were premature and said his immediate priority was to take his seat as the new MP for Makerfield.
The question matters because opposition parties have already said Labour should not install another Prime Minister without going back to voters. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is expected to make that argument central to his attack on Labour.
Under the UK parliamentary system, however, a general election is not automatically required when a Prime Minister resigns. The new leader of the governing party can become Prime Minister if they can command the confidence of the House of Commons.
Starmer announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street after accepting that Labour MPs no longer believed he was the right person to lead the party into the next general election.
He said he accepted that judgement with “good grace.”
The outgoing Prime Minister defended his record, pointing to Labour’s return to government, economic plans, NHS reforms, workers’ rights, action on small boat crossings and Britain’s standing abroad.
He also became visibly emotional as he thanked his wife, Victoria, and their children. Starmer said that after leaving the highest political office in the country, he wanted to spend more time being a better husband and father.
His resignation comes less than two years after Labour won a large majority at the 2024 general election. But poor local election results, internal divisions, policy reversals and concern over Reform UK’s rise increased pressure on his leadership.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper praised Starmer’s service and said Labour must come through the leadership process stronger and more united.
She said Starmer had helped restore Britain’s credibility on the world stage and urged the government to remain focused on global security, including Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and the Strait of Hormuz.
Other Starmer allies also praised the manner of his resignation. Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds said Starmer had shown dignity and public service in the way he left office.
Labour’s National Executive Committee is expected to set out the leadership timetable. Nominations are due to open in July, with the process expected to conclude before September unless the party rallies behind one candidate earlier.
For Burnham, the day marked a major political comeback. His swearing-in was not only a formal Commons moment but also the start of a possible move from Makerfield to Downing Street.
If Labour MPs unite behind him, Burnham could become Britain’s next Prime Minister within weeks.