Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after less than two years in office. Speaking to reporters outside his residence on Downing Street, Starmer attributed his decision to the stance of his Labour Party, which faced significant dissent from within its ranks.
Approximately 100 Labour MPs signed a letter urging Starmer to step down, and seven members of his cabinet, including the Defence Minister, resigned. Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Manchester, is widely expected to succeed him as both party leader and Prime Minister.
Starmer indicated that the nomination process for his successor will begin on July 9, with a new leader expected to be confirmed by the end of summer, although this timeline could accelerate if Burnham is the sole candidate. Wes Streeting, a former Health Minister who previously expressed interest in the leadership, announced on June 22 that he would not run and would instead support Burnham.
Profile of Andy Burnham
At 56 years old, Burnham has been a member of the Labour Party since his teenage years. He has served as the Mayor of Greater Manchester for the past nine years, a region that includes the city of Manchester and its surrounding suburbs, home to over three million residents. Burnham has been re-elected twice and is known for his popularity, earning him the nickname ‘King of the North.’ His tenure has seen significant economic growth, public transport reforms, and support for local businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Burnham has prior experience in the UK Parliament and government, first becoming an MP at the age of 31. He held positions in the administrations of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown but has twice failed to secure the Labour leadership, in 2010 and 2015. His ambitions were previously hindered by his lack of a parliamentary seat, a requirement for party leadership candidates. However, a recent opportunity arose when a Labour MP from Makerfield resigned, allowing Burnham to contest a by-election, which he won decisively.
Following his victory, influential Labour figures persuaded Starmer to resign over the weekend, with reports indicating that additional ministers threatened to resign if he did not. Starmer, who had insisted just days earlier that he would fight to retain his position, ultimately recognized that he had lost the confidence of his party.
Burnham’s popularity among Labour politicians is currently the highest among his peers. He is viewed as a charismatic communicator, contrasting with Starmer, who has faced criticism for indecisiveness and a lack of public appeal. Many within the Labour Party believe that Burnham is the candidate most likely to defeat Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, which currently leads in polls.
“Compared to Keir Starmer, Burnham has significantly higher support and a better chance of winning against the Reform Party in any upcoming general election, whether in 2029 or sooner,” remarked Andy Price, a former British diplomat and senior researcher at the Centre for European Policy Analysis. He noted the importance of Burnham’s leadership in light of Farage’s controversial connections, including his appearances on Russian state media.
Burnham’s Stance on Ukraine
Despite the leadership change, experts believe that the UK’s support for Ukraine will remain consistent. Andy Price noted that Burnham has publicly expressed support for Ukraine and has a history of assisting Ukrainian refugees as Mayor of Manchester.
“I believe Burnham’s potential rise to power would be positive for Ukraine,” Price stated. “He has advocated for increased UK defense spending, which is crucial, and I anticipate a continued and robust support for Ukraine during his tenure.”
However, some analysts point out that Burnham has less experience in foreign policy compared to Starmer. “Burnham is more focused on domestic issues and has not extensively addressed international matters,” said Lord Kim Darroch, a former national security advisor and UK ambassador to the US. “Nevertheless, he is likely to establish a good rapport with President Zelensky, as is customary for British Prime Ministers.”
During his campaign in Makerfield, Burnham reiterated his opposition to Russian aggression, stating, “I have opposed the Russian invasion of Crimea since 2014, called for FIFA to strip Russia of the 2018 World Cup, and have firmly supported Ukraine and its mayors since 2022.”
Collaboration with Ukrainian Communities
Price noted that Burnham has already engaged with the Ukrainian community in Manchester and local authorities in Ukraine. As Mayor, he has participated in events supporting the local Ukrainian community and recorded a video supporting the United for Ukraine initiative, which aids Ukrainian refugees in employment and integration.
Burnham has also collaborated with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain to coordinate support efforts and has participated in exhibitions commemorating the Holodomor, condemning it as genocide. He supports the Unbroken rehabilitation center in Lviv and co-founded the Unbroken Cities Network, which includes Manchester, Lviv, and Liverpool, aimed at rebuilding Ukraine.
Keir Starmer has resigned as UK Prime Minister following internal party pressure, paving the way for Andy Burnham to potentially succeed him. Burnham, a seasoned politician with strong support for Ukraine, is expected to lead the Labour Party as it prepares for future elections.