Andy Burnham nears UK leadership as Labour race opens July 9
What's next: If no rival secures 81 Labour lawmakers, Burnham could take office as prime minister by July 17.
Andy Burnham is emerging as the clear front-runner to replace Keir Starmer as Britain’s prime minister after Starmer said he would step down within weeks and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting backed Burnham. The former Greater Manchester mayor returned to Parliament in a special election last week with the stated goal of seeking the Labour leadership. Nominations open July 9 and close a week later. Under Labour’s rules, candidates need support from 81 lawmakers to qualify. If Burnham runs unopposed, he could become prime minister by July 17; if there is a contest, a winner is expected before Parliament returns on Sept. 1. Burnham has pitched his record in Greater Manchester as a model for national renewal, though many of his wider economic plans remain unclear.