Streeting Declines Labour Leadership, Endorses Burnham
Wes Streeting has announced that he will not stand as a candidate for the Labour leadership. He stated that a leadership contest where candidates spend the summer "exaggerating small differences" would be detrimental to both the party and the country. Having spoken with Andy Burnham, Streeting expressed confidence that there is "a place" for the policies he has advocated under a Burnham premiership.
This development makes it highly likely that Burnham will become prime minister by mid-July. While it remains possible that another candidate may emerge, no other MPs besides Streeting have publicly indicated an intention to stand. With Burnham now considered the frontrunner, it is difficult to envision any other MP garnering sufficient support to become a candidate.
Andy Burnham Sworn in as MP for Makerfield
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle announced in a notably loud voice, "we now come to Andy Burnham, member for Makerfield." A heckle from Desmond Swayne was heard during the proceedings. Following Burnham, Douglas Lumsden, the new Conservative MP for Aberdeen South, took the oath in the usual manner. The House of Commons is currently sitting, with new MPs taking their seats.
The first new MP to take their seat was Lara Bird, the SNP representative for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. She stated that she was taking the oath solely to serve as an MP, emphasizing that her loyalty lies with the people of Scotland.
Burnham Avoids Most Press on Arrival at Euston
Matthew Weaver, a reporter, described the scene at platform 13 where dozens of photographers, broadcasters, and journalists gathered, awaiting the delayed 10:55 am train from Manchester.
A tourist from New Delhi named Naresh expressed surprise upon learning that the man expected to be the UK's next prime minister was arriving by train without heavy security. He remarked, "I’m amazed, in India the prime minister would be surrounded by security and he would never travel by train. It’s good to see because he’s a public servant."
Burnham’s train arrived at 1:31 pm, 22 minutes late. Station staff requested the press to make way for other passengers disembarking. Some passengers humorously posed as if they were the focus of media attention. Labour’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, was among the first off the train but declined to comment amid intense questioning.
However, Burnham did not appear with the other passengers. Instead, he was discreetly escorted to an underpass beneath the station and into a waiting taxi. The press followed to the gated entrance of the underpass, with broadcasters from around the world reporting as Burnham’s taxi departed. A helicopter hovered overhead.
Burnham was filmed at Manchester Piccadilly station boarding the train dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans. During the journey, he changed into a jacket and white shirt, visible through the taxi windows en route to the Palace of Westminster to be sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield.
John Crace provided a sketch of Keir Starmer’s resignation speech earlier that morning.
Andy Burnham shared a photograph of the leaving present he received from staff at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority during a visit before departing for London. The gift bore the quote, "This is Manchester, we do things differently here," attributed to Tony Wilson, founder of the Haçienda and record executive, although the phrase was actually delivered by actor Steve Coogan portraying Wilson in a biopic.
Zelenskyy Thanks Starmer for Support and Welcomes Him to Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, paid tribute to Keir Starmer in a message, stating:
"Keir, thank you for all our cooperation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger.
The United Kingdom has been, is, and will remain among the world’s leaders. Here in Ukraine, we deeply value Britain, and every meeting and every conversation we have had has always been filled with real substance.
Thank you for always being in touch, always engaged, and always striving to do what is needed and what will truly help.
I wish the United Kingdom and all British people every success as well as realisation of your national goals. We have confidence in Britain.
Keir, you are always a welcome guest in Ukraine."
Burnham Deflects Question on 2022 General Election Call
Speaking to reporters on the platform at Euston, Andy Burnham praised the outgoing prime minister’s dedication and confirmed his candidacy for Labour leadership.
When asked about his previous call for an immediate general election following Boris Johnson’s replacement by Rishi Sunak in 2022, Burnham responded,
"I think you’re talking several hurdles ahead there."
He expressed sadness about leaving Greater Manchester, praising the people for their support and stating, "I hope I leave Manchester in a better place."
The reporter referenced a tweet from Burnham during the 2022 Tory leadership contest:
"We need to start demanding a General Election at the end of this Tory leadership election.
They were all elected on a manifesto promise to level up the North and are all abandoning it."
When challenged about Labour not calling an election when Tony Blair replaced Gordon Brown, Burnham replied,
"No, but then we didn’t have a major change of political direction nor ditch the core mission on which we were elected - as the Tories are poised to do with levelling up."
Cabinet Support for Starmer Evidently Weak
Ben Riley-Smith of The Telegraph noted the limited cabinet presence during Starmer’s resignation speech, observing that fewer than half a dozen ministers were present, including David Lammy, David Jones, Jenny Chapman, Richard Hermer, and possibly Steve Reed. This represents a small fraction of the 27 ministers who normally attend cabinet meetings.
Riley-Smith suggested that Starmer had lost significant support within his cabinet and the wider parliamentary party, undermining his ability to continue as prime minister.
Labour chair Anna Turley responded to Riley-Smith’s comments, explaining that many MPs travel to Westminster on Monday mornings and that she had to watch the speech on a train with poor wifi.
Burnham Arrives at Euston Amid Media Attention
The BBC reported that Andy Burnham’s train from Manchester to London had arrived, with Burnham allowing other passengers to disembark before he emerged to face the assembled journalists.
Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised Starmer, stating,
"Keir Starmer’s place in history is assured. We owe Keir a debt of gratitude for taking Labour from its worst electoral defeat in 2019, bringing Labour back into government with a huge majority in 2024 and then guiding Britain through difficult times nationally and globally."
Burnham’s train was delayed but followed by a helicopter.
NEU Leader Criticizes Starmer’s Claim on Ending Austerity
Sally Weale, education correspondent for , reported that Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), criticized Keir Starmer for claiming credit for ending austerity in his resignation speech.
Kebede stated,
"Keir Starmer was wrong to claim credit today for ending austerity.
Part of the reason why his government is so deeply unpopular is that they have failed to fix the funding crisis in schools, which risks condemning another generation of children to bear the brunt of austerity-level school budgets."
NEU polling indicated that only 5% of members believe the government has performed well on education over the past two years.
Starmer’s resignation has also raised concerns about potential delays to planned education reforms for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a priority for his administration despite controversy surrounding the proposals.
Jane Harris, chief executive of Speech and Language UK, emphasized,
"Today’s political uncertainty must not be allowed to delay the urgent reform children with SEND have been promised.
Too many children with speech and language challenges are already waiting too long for support, being misunderstood in classrooms or missing out on the help they need to learn, make friends and thrive."
Downing Street canceled the regular lobby briefing, and Keir Starmer will not be making a Commons statement about the G7 summit as expected. Instead, David Lammy, the deputy prime minister who did not attend the summit, will make the statement.
Additional ministerial statements will be delivered by Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, regarding the Bedford train crash, and James Murray, health secretary, on the Pathways clinical trial investigating puberty-suppressing drugs for transgender children.
A video capturing Londoners’ reactions to Starmer’s resignation has been released.
Starmer’s Future as MP for Holborn and St Pancras
Questions have arisen regarding whether Keir Starmer will remain as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras or step down from that position. Starmer has given no indication that he plans to resign as an MP.
Historically, Tony Blair resigned from parliament immediately after stepping down as prime minister. David Cameron initially intended to remain an MP but later resigned, particularly due to policy disagreements with Theresa May. Boris Johnson resigned as an MP months after leaving office amid a privileges committee investigation.
Starmer may find it uncomfortable to serve as a backbencher while his successor leads the party, similar to Blair’s experience with Gordon Brown. Although not subject to sanctions, Starmer might prefer to avoid supporting policies championed by Burnham that he opposes.
However, there is a significant difference: Blair and Cameron could resign knowing their parties would retain their seats in subsequent by-elections. Johnson could not, but appeared unconcerned.
Starmer’s majority in Holborn and St Pancras was 11,572 at the last election, down from over 27,000 in 2019. An independent candidate campaigning largely on Gaza came second in 2024, and Electoral Calculus currently projects the Green Party as the likely winner in the seat. Triggering a by-election under these circumstances could be seen as hostile to Burnham’s leadership.
Having spoken about the need for an "orderly handover of power" in his resignation speech, it seems unlikely Starmer would act to undermine Burnham.
If Starmer remains an MP, he would not necessarily be required to attend the Commons every night. Party whips tend to accommodate former prime ministers, and absences for other duties typically do not result in penalties.
Calls for Burnham to Face Commons Liaison Committee
Before the summer recess, the prime minister usually participates in a session with the Commons Liaison Committee, which includes all select committee chairs. Veteran broadcaster Michael Crick has commented,
"If it is a 'coronation' for scrutiny purposes, Andy Burnham should volunteer to be grilled very soon and at length by the Commons Liaison Committee."
England Footballers Witness Prime Minister Change During Tournament
History is being made as England internationals Harry Kane, John Stones, and Jordan Henderson are set to become the first players to experience a change of prime minister during a major international tournament for a record-breaking third time.
