Key facts
- Andy Burnham is poised to become the UK's next prime minister following Keir Starmer's resignation.
- Wes Streeting has endorsed Burnham's leadership bid, making an uncontested election likely.
- Burnham faces significant economic challenges, including tight fiscal rules and managing public borrowing.
- His policy proposals include bringing water and energy into public control and overhauling tax and social care systems.
- Burnham is considered inexperienced in foreign policy, with a key challenge being a reset summit with the EU.
- Starmer earned international respect for his leadership on Ukraine and managing relations with Donald Trump.
Andy Burnham is widely expected to become the UK's next prime minister and leader of the Labour party following the resignation of Keir Starmer. Starmer announced his departure on Monday morning, with Burnham's most prominent potential challenger, Wes Streeting, quickly endorsing Burnham's bid.
Burnham's ascent follows Labour's recent electoral setbacks, including losses in English councils and to progressive nationalists in Wales and Scotland. His decisive victory in the Makerfield byelection has solidified his position as the candidate most likely to defeat the hard right in the next general election. With an uncontested election for Labour leadership anticipated by mid-July, Burnham faces immediate challenges in forming a cabinet and defining his policy priorities.
Economically, Burnham has proposed ambitious plans, including bringing water and energy into public control and overhauling property tax and social care systems. However, he must navigate the UK government's tight fiscal rules and significant borrowing requirements, with economists advising caution on spending messages to maintain market confidence. Options for tax increases that align with Labour's manifesto include capital gains tax, a bank tax, or a tax on high-value homes, with a wealth tax also considered a symbolic possibility.
In foreign policy, Burnham is seen as inexperienced. A key early task will be a reset summit with the EU scheduled for July 22. While Starmer earned international respect for his leadership on Ukraine and managing relations with US President Donald Trump, Burnham will need to establish his own international standing. Meanwhile, other significant news includes exclusive polling showing a majority of young Britons demand a fresh EU referendum, Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction for sexual offenses, a red weather warning for extreme heat, Iran allowing UN nuclear inspectors back into the country, and the Metropolitan police expanding live facial recognition technology use.