Andy Burnham is now set to become the Labour leader, having achieved the necessary support from 349 MPs for his leadership bid.
Earlier today, Mike Reader, a backbench MP, announced his endorsement of Mr. Burnham. This made him the 323rd MP to support Burnham, putting the leadership contest out of reach for any other contenders.
Prior to Reader’s endorsement, 322 MPs had already pledged their backing for Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester. This level of support effectively eliminates other competitors, as a challenger would need 81 nominations to qualify, with only 403 Labour MPs available to choose from.
As of this afternoon, Burnham has further solidified his position by securing an additional 26 nominations, bringing his total to 349.
Among these latest endorsements is Communities Secretary Steve Reed, who is closely aligned with Sir Keir Starmer, adding significant weight to Burnham’s campaign.
Mr Reed was the only member of the Cabinet not to nominate Mr Burnham last week – Shabana Mahmood and Anna Turley by convention will not nominate anyone because of their positions chairing Labour’s national executive committee and the party respectively. Sir Keir, as outgoing leader, also by convention does not take part.
Others who nominated Mr Burnham on Monday included junior ministers Sir Chris Bryant and Mike Tapp, former minister Jess Phillips and Richard Burgon, secretary of the left-wing Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs.
In reality, Mr Burnham’s appointment was already assured because Keir Starmer has said he will not support anyone. He will officially become party leader on Friday, and take over from Keir Starmer on Monday.
Andy Burnham has made his coronation as Labour leader mathematically certain after passing 323 nominations from MPs
Backbencher Mike Reader declared that he had added to the wave of endorsements for Mr Burnham this morning
However, there is still widespread concern about a lack of clarity on what Mr Burnham will do with his new power – obtained without even the approval of Labour members, let alone the general public.
He is said to be plotting a ‘mega-Budget’ in the Autumn, combining a major fiscal package with a full spending review.
Fears are mounting about a new tax raid focused on the ‘wealthy’ South, with allies pushing proposals including a land tax, council tax revaluation and enhanced mansion tax to fund a splurge on council housing and public control of utilities.
Mr Burnham – who will appear at a hustings with MPs behind closed doors tonight – has not fleshed out any tax or spending plans beyond a commitment to stick to the Labour manifesto and increase devolution.
Despite his colleagues’ frenzied rush to vow loyalty, the former Cabinet minister has almost no mandate from the public.
He did not stand on Labour’s election-winning mandate in 2024 and the 25,000 voters who backed him in the Makerfield by-election represent just 0.05 per cent of the British electorate.
Ministers and MPs have been frantically jockeying for jobs in the new administration, with Ed Miliband hoping to be made chancellor despite alarm in some quarters over his ‘Soviet’ views.
New Labour figures have been heavily tipped, including the idea of David Miliband coming back as Foreign Secretary. Another ex-Cabinet minister, James Purnell, will be No10 chief of staff.
Mr Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on July 17 and is expected to then become prime minister on July 20.
Once MPs have made a nomination they cannot change it unless the candidate withdraws.
Former armed forces minister Al Carns was the last prospective opponent to fold last week, saying that ‘months of internal Labour politics isn’t what the country needs right now’.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir is making the most of his last week in office – by heading to France instead.
The premier – nicknamed ‘never here Keir’ by critics of his globetrotting – will attend a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ meeting in Paris, and is expected to attend Bastille Day events tomorrow.