Politics · 11 July 2026
Who can still stop Burnham becoming PM?
Realistically, nobody: Andy Burnham holds nominations from 322 of Labour's 403 MPs, roughly four times the threshold, and every potential rival has ruled themselves out. If no challenger reaches 81 signatures before nominations close on Thursday, he is confirmed as Labour leader on 17 July and becomes prime minister on the 20th after seeing the King. A late contest would push the decision to a members' vote ending 29 August.
Reported by Associated Press · How we write briefs