Andy Burnham set for unopposed Labour leadership race after rivals stand aside

Labour has opened nominations to choose Keir Starmer's successor, with Andy Burnham likely to run unopposed. His near-certain elevation would quickly hand him Downing Street amid heavy economic and political pressures.

In Short

• Burnham needs 80 Labour MP signatures and is expected to clear it
• Al Carns withdrew, saying prolonged internal politics would not help Britain
• Nominations close on July 16, with confirmation of leader expected swiftly

Nominations for the Labour Party leadership open on Thursday in a contest to replace Keir Starmer as Britain's prime minister, with former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham expected to be the only candidate. Burnham is set to collect signatures from Labour MPs and needs at least 80 to enter the race, a mark he is expected to cross comfortably.

Other possible contenders have ruled themselves out, strengthening Burnham's path to the leadership. Former defence minister Al Carns, who had been considering a run, said late on Wednesday that he would not challenge Burnham.

\"I'd hoped a leadership contest would give us the opportunity for a proper debate,\" Carns said in a statement. \"But months of internal Labour politics isn't what the country needs right now. We've got to get on with the job. Andy Burnham's earned this and he's got my full backing.\"

Nominations will remain open until July 16. Burnham is highly likely to be declared the new Labour leader the next day and to become prime minister after a meeting with King Charles III on July 20.

Starmer said last month that he would step down as soon as his centre-left party chose a successor. He had been elected in a landslide in July 2024, but resigned after two years in office marked by missteps and errors of judgement that weakened his standing within the party and among the public.

Burnham spent almost a decade leading Manchester in north-west England before returning to Parliament after winning a by-election last month. He has promised sweeping change, saying he wants to reverse nearly two decades of low growth since the 2008 financial crisis through an approach he calls \"Manchesterism\", using public and private money to invest in transport, housing and infrastructure.

He is also set to face many of the same political and economic pressures as Starmer, including a sluggish economy, strained public services and a cost-of-living squeeze. On foreign policy, Burnham has signalled continuity. Writing in The Times of London, he said the government's \"commitment to NATO and the UK's nuclear deterrent will remain absolute\" and added that Britain would remain a firm ally of the United States and a strong supporter of Ukraine.

With no challenger expected, Burnham appears on course to take over as Labour leader and prime minister within days, after nominations close and the party completes the formal process.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends