Burnham confirmed as leader of UK’s governing Labour Party, headed for PM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is stepping down, triggering a Labour Party leadership contest. Nominations opened on Thursday, with candidates requiring support from 20% of Labour MPs and affiliated organizations. Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is the sole declared candidate and the clear frontrunner, having recently become an MP. If no other candidates emerge, Burnham could become Prime Minister this month. Burnham, who advocates for devolution and increased living standards, has garnered support from prominent Labour figures. The voting process for party members and unions will occur between August 6 and August 27, with results expected on August 29.

Nominations are now open for the Labour Party leadership contest to replace Keir Starmer, with former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham expected to be the sole candidate. Other potential contenders have withdrawn, with former Defense Minister Al Carns publicly backing Burnham. Burnham needs at least 80 signatures from Labour lawmakers to run, a target he is likely to exceed. Nominations close on July 16, and Burnham is anticipated to be announced as the new leader the following day, potentially becoming prime minister on July 20. Starmer resigned after two years in office due to declining public and party standing. Burnham plans to implement an investment-focused approach called "Manchesterism" to address economic challenges, while also committing to continuity in foreign policy, including NATO commitments and support for Ukraine.

Keir Starmer, the outgoing Prime Minister, has not ruled out creating a resignation honours list when he leaves Downing Street in just over ten days. This stance contrasts with his previous public statements in 2023, when he opposed such lists, citing difficulty in justification. Starmer's potential honours list would be subject to approval by his successor, Andy Burnham, and the House of Lords appointments commission. Traditionally, outgoing prime ministers are permitted to nominate individuals for honours. The article also notes that Andy Burnham is nearing confirmation as Starmer's successor in the Labour leadership contest, having secured a significant number of nominations.

Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the UK's next Prime Minister, has apologized for the Labour Party's past stance on the conflict in Gaza. Speaking in a social media video, Burnham stated the party "didn't get it right" and needs to improve its approach. He acknowledged the "unbearable suffering" in Gaza and pledged to increase pressure on the Israeli government, while reiterating condemnation of Hamas attacks and antisemitism. Burnham criticized the Israeli government's actions, including settlement expansion, and expressed commitment to keeping the prospect of a two-state solution alive. This comes amid growing public pressure in the UK, with polls indicating a significant portion of the British public believes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and a notable shift of Labour voters to other parties over the issue.

Andy Burnham, a likely candidate for Prime Minister, has publicly apologized on social media for the Labour Party's initial position regarding Israeli attacks in Gaza. Burnham stated his intention to work towards "stopping the suffering" in the region. The article does not specify when this apology was made or provide further details on the Labour Party's initial stance. The focus of Burnham's statement is on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.