Nominations opened on Thursday for the UK Labour Party leadership election to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham expected to emerge as the sole candidate.
Burnham began collecting nominations from Labour lawmakers and requires the backing of at least 80 MPs to qualify. Political observers expect him to comfortably surpass the threshold.
"It's all starting to feel very real," Burnham said in a video posted on social media after formally nominating himself.
The nomination period will remain open until July 16. If no other candidates enter the race, Burnham is expected to be confirmed as Labour leader on July 17 and formally appointed prime minister after meeting King Charles III on July 20.
Potential challengers have ruled out contesting the leadership. Former Defence Minister Al Carns, who had been considering a bid, announced late Wednesday that he would not stand against Burnham.
"I'd hoped a leadership contest would give us the opportunity for a proper debate," Carns said in a statement. "But months of internal Labour politics isn't what the country needs right now. We've got to get on with the job. Andy Burnham's earned this and he's got my full backing."
Starmer announced last month that he would step down once Labour selected a successor. He came to power with a landslide election victory in July 2024 but decided to resign after two years in office marked by political setbacks and declining public support.
Burnham returned to Parliament after winning a by-election last month, following nearly a decade as mayor of Greater Manchester.
He has pledged to revive Britain's economy through a strategy he calls "Manchesterism," aimed at boosting growth by combining public and private investment in transport, housing and infrastructure after years of sluggish economic performance.
If confirmed as prime minister, Burnham will inherit major challenges, including weak economic growth, strained public services and continued cost-of-living pressures.
On foreign policy, Burnham has pledged continuity, reaffirming Britain's commitment to NATO, its nuclear deterrent, its alliance with the United States and continued support for Ukraine.