Andy Burnham Set to Become Leader of Labour Party and New Prime Minister

London. Senior leader of Britain's Labour Party, Andy Burnham, is almost certain to become the new leader of the party and the new Prime Minister of the country. In the first phase of the leadership selection process, he has received the support of 322 MPs of the Labour Party. 

Since the nomination process began on Thursday, Burnham has been the only official candidate. So far, 322 MPs have supported him, which is just one vote short of the 323 votes required to mathematically make it impossible for any competitor candidate to emerge. Although some MPs could not vote on Thursday, they have said they will support Burnham after returning to Parliament.

If no other candidate enters the field, Burnham will be announced as the leader of the Labour Party next week. He will then take over as the Prime Minister of Britain on July 20. Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, had only recently become a Member of Parliament by winning the Makerfield by-election a few weeks ago.

Since then, he has risen rapidly in British politics. In a statement released after receiving support, Burnham expressed his deep gratitude to the MPs who trusted him and said that Britain needs a new political thinking.

He said – 'This support reflects the shared belief that Britain needs a new political vision. I pledge to decentralize power concentrated in Westminster, to restructure the economy with ordinary citizens at the center, and to ensure equal development in every region of the country.' 

Speaking at the Silver Clef Music Awards ceremony held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Thursday, Burnham also satirized Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Commenting on Farage's decision to hold a by-election in his own constituency of Clacton, he said, addressing independent candidate and comedian Count Binface, 'The country's hope is on you, do not disappoint us.' 

Following the Labour Party's significant losses in the local elections in May, pressure mounted from within the party on then-leader Sir Keir Starmer to step down. The day Burnham took the oath as an MP, Starmer resigned, acknowledging the need for new leadership for the upcoming general election. Candidates wishing to participate in the Labour leadership race must secure the support of at least 81 MPs by next Wednesday.

In addition, the new leader must also secure the support of at least three out of the 31 socialist societies and trade unions affiliated with the party, a process that is expected to be a formality for Burnham.