The Latest over the resignation of Starmer ...

 

9m ago

11.30 BST

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/22/keir-starmer-resignation-timeable-andy-burnham-labour-leadership-prime-minister-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6a38f3bf8f088f86b42f8138#top-of-blog

 

Streeting says Burnham committed to 'inclusive party that draws on best of our political traditions'

Here is the key extract from Wes Streeting’s statement this morning. (See 11.21am.)

 

I left the government because we were losing the fight to nationalists in every corner of the country. I have spent the weeks since speaking to our former councillors, activists and voters in place we lost - to listen and learn from them.

 

I’ve also been setting out ideas to change our country: a plan for Britain to grow again and grow together, with a progressive capitalism focused on wealth creation as much as wealth distribution; to lead the world in the fourth industrial revolution and protect people from its risks; to modernise our public services; to give Britain energy security; to build stronger alliances with democracies around the world and a new special relationship with Europe; and to change the culture of our party so that it is more inclusive and open to ideas.

 

Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership; that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.

 

We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our Party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.

 

We were elected change our country, to show that politics can be a force for good, and to spread opportunity for everyone. With Andy, we still can.

 

17m ago

11.21 BST

Streeting says he won't challenge Burnham for Labour leadership, suggesting Burnham on course to become PM without contest

Wes Streeting has posted this on social media. He confirms that he won’t stand as a candidate for the Labour leadership. He says that he a contest where candidates spent the summer “exaggerating small differences” would not be good for the party or the country, and he says that, having spoken to Burnham, he is confident that that there is “a place” for the policies he has been advocating under a Burnham premiership.

 

This means it is now very, very likely that Burnham will be PM be mid July. It is conceivable that another candidate may come forward. But, apart from Streeting, no one else has publicly signalled an intention to stand, and with Burnham now a shoo-in, it is hard to imagine any other MP getting the support they would need to be a candidate.

 

Streeting's statement

11.11 BST

Burnham confirms he will be candidate to replace Starmer, saying transition should be 'positive process of renewal'

Andy Burnham has confirmed that he will stand as a candidate to replace Keir Starmer. He says he will give Britain “stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most”. And he says he wants the transition to be “a positive process of renewal”.

 

Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

 

His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.

 

The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.

 

As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be. People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.

 

The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose. This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.

 

Burnham does not make any reference to a leadership election happening, and his reference to the “transition” implies he does not expect a contest to happen.