The steps Andy Burnham would have to take to become UK’s next prime minister
Starmer avoids question on whether he’d block Burnham returning to Westminster
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, is being touted as a leading contender to replace Sir Keir Starmer if he resigns as Prime Minister.
Burnham has previously indicated a willingness to challenge the current Labour leader, stating he doesn’t know what the future holds regarding a leadership bid.
His path to becoming Prime Minister is arduous as he currently does not hold a seat in Parliament, which is a prerequisite for a Labour leadership contest.
He would first need to secure a vacant parliamentary seat, win the selection process (after the National Executive Committee previously blocked him from standing in a by-election), and then win the by-election itself.
If elected as an MP, he would then need nominations from 20 per cent of Labour MPs and 5 per cent of constituency Labour Parties or three affiliates to formally stand for the leadership.
