Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor who has frequently criticized President Donald Trump, is poised to become the United Kingdom's next prime minister after emerging as the only candidate to replace outgoing Labour leader Keir Starmer.Burnham, 56, received nominations from 322 of Labour’s 403 Members of Parliament on the first day of the leadership process, far surpassing the 81 required to enter the contest and leaving potential rivals with virtually no path to qualify.He is expected to be formally confirmed as Labour leader Friday and appointed prime minister by King Charles III on Monday, July 20, following Starmer’s resignation.Britain’s parliamentary system allows the governing party to replace its leader — and therefore the prime minister — without holding a national election.
The next nationwide election does not have to be held until 2029.KEIR STARMER REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING STEPPING DOWN AS PM AND COULD ANNOUNCE TIMETABLE FOR DEPARTUREGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham of the Labour Party reacts after being declared the winner in the by-election at The Edge where votes were being counted on June 19, 2026 in Wigan, England.(Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)Burnham’s rapid path to Downing Street is drawing criticism from political opponents and foreign-policy analysts who say he has not faced the scrutiny that would normally accompany either a competitive party leadership race or a general-election campaign."Andy Burnham is the least scrutinized incoming U.K.
Prime Minister of recent times," Alan Mendoza, executive director of the London-based Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital."He has faced neither a general election nor an internal party leadership debate in order to establish his positions for wider consumption," Mendoza said."He wasn’t even a candidate at the last General Election."Burnham did, however, win 54.8% of the vote in June’s Makerfield parliamentary by-election, defeating Reform UK’s candidate and return...