Labour leadership nominations open with Burnham on course to be prime minister

Key Points:

• Andy Burnham has secured the backing of 80% of Labour MPs, with 322 out of 403 members supporting him, making him the clear frontrunner to become Britain’s next prime minister.
• Burnham, who recently returned to Parliament after nearly a decade as mayor of Greater Manchester, promises a new political approach called “Manchesterism” focused on investing in transport, housing, and infrastructure to revive economic growth.
• Other potential Labour leadership contenders have withdrawn, and Burnham is expected to be announced as leader by July 17, with a formal meeting with King Charles III scheduled for July 20.
• Burnham has pledged continuity in foreign policy, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to NATO, its nuclear deterrent, and support for Ukraine, while criticizing the previous Labour leadership for a slow response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• He condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel and criticized the UK government for being slow to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, also indicating potential sanctions against those involved in the violence and illegal settlements.