Key facts
- Andy Burnham is the sole candidate for the Labour Party leadership.
- Former armed forces minister Al Carns has withdrawn his potential challenge.
- Carns stated that a leadership contest would not be the best use of Labour's time.
- Burnham previously served as MP for Leigh and Mayor of Greater Manchester.
- Keir Starmer resigned as UK Prime Minister in June.
Andy Burnham has moved a significant step closer to becoming the UK's next prime minister after his last potential rival for the Labour Party leadership withdrew from the race. Former armed forces minister Al Carns announced he would not challenge Burnham, stating that a drawn-out and divisive contest was "not the best use of Labour's time." Carns urged his party to "get on board" with Burnham, emphasizing that the country needs him to succeed.
Carns' decision leaves Burnham as the sole candidate ahead of the nomination period opening on Thursday. If no other candidates declare, Burnham will automatically become the Labour leader and Prime Minister later this month. Burnham had previously announced his intention to run for leader following his victory in the Makerfield by-election in June, where he secured approximately 55% of the vote.
Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the PM and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, had also been considered a potential contender but announced last month that he would not pursue the leadership, questioning the benefit of a contest. The leadership race was triggered by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation in June, following increased pressure after Labour's poor performance in the May local elections. Starmer will remain in his post until a successor is chosen.
Burnham, who previously served as the MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017, later became the Mayor of Greater Manchester, overseeing a period of economic and cultural growth. Since returning to Parliament, he has focused on domestic issues, advocating against trickle-down economics and neoliberalism, and proposing a "No. 10 North" initiative. On foreign policy, Burnham has expressed that Brexit has been damaging to the UK but indicated that reopening the debate on rejoining the European Union is not a priority at this time.