Following Keir Starmer’s resignation, Labour veteran Andy Burnham has emerged as one of the strongest contenders to lead the party
June 22, 2026: With Keir Starmer stepping down as Labour leader and Prime Minister, attention has turned to Andy Burnham, one of the leading contenders to take charge of the party. Burnham, currently the MP for Makerfield, has long been a prominent figure within Labour and is widely regarded as a seasoned politician with strong grassroots appeal. Born in Liverpool in 1970, he joined the Labour Party as a teenager and later studied English at Cambridge University before entering Parliament in 2001.
During his political career, Burnham served in several senior government roles under former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He held key portfolios including Culture Secretary and Health Secretary, overseeing major responsibilities within the UK government. Although he unsuccessfully contested the Labour leadership twice, first against Ed Miliband in 2010 and later against Jeremy Corbyn in 2015, he remained one of Labour’s most recognisable and influential figures.
In 2017, Burnham left Westminster to become Greater Manchester’s first elected mayor, where he built a strong reputation through his work on public transport, housing and employment issues. His outspoken defence of northern England during the Covid-19 pandemic earned him national attention and the nickname “King of the North.” After returning to Parliament in 2026 with a convincing victory in Makerfield, Burnham strengthened his position within Labour. With Starmer’s departure, his experience, popularity and growing support among party members have made him a leading candidate to guide Labour into its next chapter.