Who is Andy Burnham? King of North and frontrunner to become next UK Prime Minister
Andy Burnham launched his leadership bid within hours of Starmer's resignation and pledged to focus on economic growth, the cost of living and public services.
PTC News Desk: Hours after Keir Starmer announced his resignation as UK Prime Minister, speculations are rife over his successor with Labour Party leader Andy Burnham's name being seen as top contender. Starmer's resignation also means that UK is all set to get its seventh prime minister in just over ten years, marking the highest leadership turnover.
Andy Burnham launched his leadership bid within hours of Starmer's resignation and pledged to focus on economic growth, the cost of living and public services.
Burnham, who returned to Parliament last week after winning the Makerfield by-election, is one of Labour's most recognisable figures. His victory marks a return to the House of Commons after nearly a decade spent governing Greater Manchester as its mayor.
Fifty-six-year-old Burnham emerged as a towering figure for Labour members, with several members viewing him as potential contender for the party's top job. His supporters have often described him as a leader who can bridge a gap between Labour and working-class voters and areas that are often ignored by London.
Born in January 1970 in Merseyside, northwest England, Andy Burnham has been a prominent figure in the Labour Party for many years.
He represented Leigh as a Member of Parliament from 2001 to 2017 and held several senior roles in the government of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. These included Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary.
Burnham also made two unsuccessful bids to become Labour Party leader. He first contested the leadership in 2015 after Labour lost the general election to the Conservatives and ran again in 2017, but was defeated both times.
The nickname associated with Andy Burnham gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Burnham became a high-profile critic of the government led by then-prime minister Boris Johnson. He strongly opposed what he saw as inadequate financial support for northern England during coronavirus lockdowns.
Burnham argued that government policies favoured London and the South East, while workers and businesses in northern regions were not receiving enough help to cope with the economic impact of restrictions. His outspoken defence of northern communities earned him widespread attention and boosted his popularity beyond Greater Manchester.
The standoff stems from long-standing regional disparities in England. Many in northern England feel political power, investment, and economic opportunities are disproportionately concentrated in London and the South East.