Kier Starmer is resigning as UK PM

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Wes Streeting backs Andy Burnham to become Labour leader and PM

Wes Streeting has said he will back Andy Burnham to become the next Labour leader, making it highly likely that Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, will replace Keir Starmer as prime minister in July.

In a post on X, Burnham, who will be sworn in as an MP later on Monday after winning last week’s Makerfield byelection, said Starmer’s announcement on Monday that he would stand down as prime minister “marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way”, adding: “I will put myself forward as part of this process.”

Minutes later Streeting, the former health secretary who resigned from Starmer’s government last month, posted on X that he had been told Burnham hoped to build “an inclusive party”, and that he would not fight for the leadership.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/22/andy-burnham-to-stand-to-become-labour-leader-and-uk-prime-minister

I don't think Streeting had the 80 MPs to back his standing now, or would have stood a chance in the party election. So that should be Burnham installed as PM around mid-July. He's been sworn in as an MP (with a Life of Brian 'he's not the Messiah, he's a naughty boy' reference).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=961&v=-_WIPLcozOA