Andy Burnham set to become next UK PM, seventh in 10 years

If no challenger emerges, as expected, Burnham will be confirmed as Labour leader next week before taking office as prime minister on July 20

Andy Burnham is on the brink of becoming Britain's next prime minister after securing overwhelming backing from Labour MPs to replace Keir Starmer as party leader.The former Greater Manchester mayor has been nominated by 322 Labour MPs, making him the only declared candidate in the leadership contest, BBC reported.

He is just one nomination short of the 323 required to make it mathematically impossible for a rival to enter the race.

Several MPs who were unable to vote on Thursday have indicated they will back Burnham once Parliament resumes.If no challenger emerges, as expected, Burnham will be confirmed as Labour leader next week before taking office as prime minister on July 20. His appointment would make him Britain's seventh prime minister in just 10 years, underlining a decade of political instability that has seen rapid changes in leadership across both the Conservative and Labour parties.The development marks a remarkable political comeback for Burnham, whose victory in the recent Makerfield by-election returned him to Westminster after almost a decade. Under Labour rules, only sitting MPs are eligible to contest the party leadership, making the by-election win a crucial step in his path to the top job.Born in Liverpool and first elected as MP for Leigh in 2001, Burnham served in senior cabinet roles under former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including Culture Secretary and Health Secretary.

Since becoming Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, he has earned the nickname "King of the North" for championing greater investment in northern England, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.Burnham's rise follows the swift collapse of Starmer's premiership. Less than two years after leading Labour to a landslide election victory, Starmer leaves office as Britain's least popular prime minister on record after a series of unpopular domestic policies, political controversies and growing dissatisfaction over the direction of his government.