Andy Burnham secured 322 votes from 403 Labour MPs in the first day of voting, ensuring his succession to Keir Starmer as leader of the ruling party and thus Prime Minister, after the latter announced his intention to step down, according to Bloomberg.

Starmer is not expected to vote, as party convention stipulates that the outgoing leader does not participate in the leadership election process. This officially confirms Burnham's victory as the sole candidate in the race, preventing any potential challenger from obtaining the 81 votes needed to contest him.

Burnham will assume the party leadership when nominations close on July 17. He will officially become Prime Minister on the next working day, Monday, July 20, after meeting King Charles III.

Following the announcement of the voting results, Burnham expressed deep gratitude for the support he received from his party colleagues, saying it 'reflects a shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics.'

He added in a statement: 'This is the solution I offer: reducing Westminster's influence, restructuring the economy to serve ordinary citizens, and achieving sustainable economic growth across the country. I would like to thank every colleague who nominated me for their commitment to this vision.'

Sole candidate

Britain's parliamentary system allows ruling parties to change their leaders, and thus prime ministers, without requiring a general election. The next national election is not due until 2029.

All other potential candidates have ruled themselves out, according to the Associated Press. Former Defense Secretary Al Carns, who had been considering a run, confirmed late Wednesday evening that he would not challenge Burnham.

Carns said in a statement: 'I had hoped that a leadership contest would give us an opportunity for a serious debate. But months of internal political strife in the Labour Party are not what the country needs now. We must continue to work. Andy Burnham has earned this position, and he has my full support.'

Starmer announced he would resign as soon as his center-left party chose a successor. He was elected by a landslide in July 2024, but resigned after spending two years in office marred by criticism and missteps that led to a decline in his popularity among his party and the public.

Burnham spent nearly a decade running Greater Manchester in the northwest of England before returning to Parliament by winning a by-election last month.

Burnham's pledges

Burnham pledges a radical change, reversing the slow growth that has persisted for nearly two decades since the 2008 global financial crisis, by harnessing public and private funds to invest in sectors such as transport, housing, and infrastructure.

But he will face the same political and economic challenges that Starmer faced, including a sluggish economy, strained health and social care systems, and rising living costs.

Burnham also promised continuity in foreign policy, affirming his government's commitment to NATO and Britain's 'nuclear deterrent.' He also stressed in an article in The Times on Thursday that Britain will remain a strong ally of the United States and a strong supporter of Ukraine.

But in an implicit criticism of Starmer, Burnham later said the Labour Party 'did not handle well' the start of the Israeli war on Gaza.

Burnham also considered that the British government 'was much too late in calling for a ceasefire' in the conflict that has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians.

He added that Britain will consider 'imposing further sanctions, whether on those involved in violence in Gaza, or considering measures to ban goods produced by illegal Israeli settlements' in the occupied West Bank.