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

Starmer is not expected to cast a vote, as party custom dictates that the outgoing leader does not participate in the leadership election process. This officially confirms Burnham's victory as the sole candidate, preventing any potential opponent from obtaining the 81 votes needed to challenge him.

Burnham will assume 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 colleagues, saying it 'reflects a shared belief that Britain needs a new approach in 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 want to thank every colleague who nominated me for their commitment to this vision.'

Sole Candidate

The UK parliamentary system allows ruling parties to change their leaders, and thus Prime Ministers, without the need for a general election. The next national election is not required until 2029.

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

Carnes 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 within the Labour Party are not what the country needs now. We must continue working. Andy Burnham has earned this position, and he has my full support.'

Starmer announced he would resign as soon as his centre-left party chose a successor. He was elected with a landslide in July 2024 but stepped down after 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 managing Greater Manchester in the northwest of England before returning to Parliament by winning a by-election last month.

Burnham's Pledges

Burnham pledges 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 slowing economy, strained healthcare 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. In an article in The Times on Thursday, he emphasized that Britain will remain a strong ally of the United States and a staunch supporter of Ukraine.

But in an implicit criticism of Starmer, Burnham later said that Labour 'did not handle itself well' at the start of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip.

Burnham also considered that the British government 'was far 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, both on those involved in the violence in Gaza, and considering measures to ban goods produced by illegal Israeli settlements' in the occupied West Bank.