Andy Burnham's coronation begins: Would-be PM gets 322 nominations from Labour MPs to replace Keir Starmer

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT and JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 19:08, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 19:28, 9 July 2026 Andy Burnham is on the verge of being crowned Britain's next prime minister after he was nominated by an overhwelming majority of Labour MPs to replace Keir Starmer. The former Greater Manchester mayor received the backing of 322 Labour MPs - nearly 80 per cent of the party's seats in the House of Commons - following the opening of nominations this morning. It means he is almost guaranteed to be the next Labour premier, with Mr Burnham needing only one more nomination to ensure no other contender can reach the required 81 nominations needed to be a candidate. No other Labour MP has publicly said they are considering a leadership bid and former defence minister Al Carns - who was Mr Burnham's last potential rival - threw in the towel on Wednesday night. Among those who nominated Mr Burnham on Thursday were current Deputy PM David Lammy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. In a post on social media, Mr Burnham said he was 'deeply grateful to the 322 Labour MPs who have put their trust in me and nominated me for Leader of the Labour Party'. He added: 'Their support comes from across the PLP and reflects a shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics. 'That is the circuit breaker I am offering: power out of Westminster, an economy rewired for ordinary people, and good growth in every postcode. 'I want to empower MPs to bring the experiences of their constituents into the heart of government, and harness the full breadth of our Labour movement, drawing on all its traditions and beliefs in pursuit of a common purpose. 'I want to thank every colleague who has nominated me for their commitment to that vision.' Andy Burnham has not fleshed out any tax or spending plans beyond a commitment to stick to the Labour manifesto and increase devolution Mr Burnham also received a boost when the Unite trade union, which is affiliated to Labour, gave him a 'conditional nomination'. Following a one-to-one meeting with Mr Burnham, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham announced her union would back him to be PM 'conditional upon delivery'. Ms Graham, who had been a fierce critic of Sir Keir's leadership, said: 'Labour now needs to deliver. This moment feels like the 'last chance saloon'. 'If warm words are not followed up by action, workers and communities prepared to listen now - will walk away. 'Everyday people are hurting. They are on their knees. The working class of Britain have paid the price for crisis after crisis, Labour now need to clearly show whose side they are on. 'Britain needs a vision, a clear step-change in industrial and political direction. A 'real Labour' direction that must lead to well-paid, secure jobs and a society where everyone gets a decent piece of the pie. 'Labour will get one shot – they now need to take it.' Mr Burnham had earlier admitted it is 'all starting to feel very real' as his Labour leadership 'coronation' got under way. Labour MPs had rushed to show off their loyalty to the incoming PM when leadership nominations officially opened.  Barry Gardiner boasted that he was 'first through the door' at the Parliamentary Labour Party office this morning, but that was contested by David Pinto-Duschinsky, who insisted he was the first. Luke Charters said it was 'lovely to see so many MPs queuing up', while others felt the need to explain on social media why they were not able to complete their duties immediately.  After going in to nominate himself, Mr Burnham joked that it was 'third time lucky' after his botched leadership bids in the past. Nominations opened on Thursday morning after former defence minister Al Carns - who was Mr Burnham's last potential leadership rival - threw in the towel. Mr Burnham's close ally Louise Haigh has claimed a plan for his first 100 days in No10 has been in development for a long time. But there is still nervousness about a lack of clarity of the former Greater Manchester mayor's policy platform. He last night sent an email to Labour's 403 MPs vowing to have a more collegiate approach and wrote an article in The Times calling for defence cash to boost British industry.  But Mr Burnham has not fleshed out any tax or spending plans beyond a commitment to stick to the Labour manifesto and increase devolution.  After going into nominate himself, the former mayor of Greater Manchester joked that it was 'third time lucky' after his botched leadership bids in the past Barry Gardiner boasted that he was 'first through the door' at the Parliamentary Party office this morning That was contested by David Pinto-Duschinsky, who insisted he was the first to nominate Mr Burnham Some MPs felt they had to take to social media to explain why they were yet to back Mr Burnham Burnham backer Luke Charters said it was 'lovely to see so many MPs queuing up' Some MPs posted images of their nomination paper, including Rosena Allin-Khan There is speculation that Mr Burnham could be effectively confirmed as Sir Keir Starmer's  successor by the end of the day, if he receives enough support to make another challenger mathematically impossible Ministers and MPs have been frantically jockeying for jobs in the new administration, with Ed Miliband hoping to be made Chancellor despite alarm in some quarters over his 'Soviet' views. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Deputy PM David Lammy and Attorney General Lord Hermer were all out and about on Thursday as the so-called 'beauty parade' for Cabinet jobs under Mr Burnham continued. Intriguingly, New Labour stalwart David Miliband was also due to give a speech on Thursday evening, having been tipped for a shock comeback to Government.  Sam Rushworth MP admitted he had not wanted a leadership contest, but was now getting behind Mr Burnham  Prospective Labour leadership candidates need the backing of 81 MPs to put themselves forward to replace Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned last month after Mr Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election. In the absence of any other contenders before nominations close on July 15, Mr Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on July 17 and is expected to then become prime minister on July 20. Former armed forces minister Mr Carns told Sky News last night: 'I'd hoped a leadership contest would give us the opportunity for a proper debate. 'But months of internal Labour politics isn't what the country needs right now. We've got to get on with the job. 'Andy Burnham's earned this and he's got my full backing.' Allies of Mr Burnham have been briefing that Mr Carns has wrecked his chances of a ministerial job, with claims he only had three backers – including himself.