Andy Burnham has made his coronation as Labour leader mathematically certain after passing 323 nominations from MPs.
Backbencher Mike Reader declared that he had added to the wave of endorsement for Mr Burnham this morning.
On top of the 322 who had already formally supported the former Greater Manchester Mayor, it means no other challenger can enter the contest. They would need 81 nominations and there are only 403 Labour MPs.
In reality, Mr Burnham’s appointment was already assured because Keir Starmer has said he will not support anyone. He will officially become party leader on Friday, and take over from Keir Starmer on Monday.
However, there is still widespread concern about a lack of clarity on what Mr Burnham will do with his new power – obtained without even the approval of Labour members, let alone the general public.
He is said to be plotting a ‘mega-Budget’ in the Autumn, combining a major fiscal package with a full spending review.
Fears are mounting about a new tax raid focused on the ‘wealthy’ South – with allies pushing proposals including a land tax, council tax revaluation and enhanced mansion tax to fund a splurge on council housing and public control of utilities.
Andy Burnham has made his coronation as Labour leader mathematically certain after passing 323 nominations from MPs
Backbencher Mike Reader declared that he had added to the wave of endorsement for Mr Burnham this morning
Mr Burnham – who will appear at a hustings with MPs behind closed doors tonight – has not fleshed out any tax or spending plans beyond a commitment to stick to the Labour manifesto and increase devolution.
Despite his colleagues’ frenzied rush to vow loyalty, the former Cabinet minister has almost no mandate from the public.
He did not stand on Labour’s election-winning mandate in 2024 and the 25,000 voters who backed him in the Makerfield by-election represent just 0.05 per cent of the British electorate.
Ministers and MPs have been frantically jockeying for jobs in the new administration, with Ed Miliband hoping to be made chancellor despite alarm in some quarters over his ‘Soviet’ views.
New Labour figures have been heavily tipped, including the idea of David Miliband coming back as Foreign Secretary. Another ex-Cabinet minister, James Purnell, will be No10 chief of staff.
Mr Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on July 17 and is expected to then become prime minister on July 20.
Once MPs have made a nomination they cannot change it unless the candidate withdraws.
Former armed forces minister Al Carns was the last prospective opponent to fold last week, saying ‘months of internal Labour politics isn’t what the country needs right now’.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir is making the most of his last week in office – by heading to France.
The premier – nicknamed ‘never here Keir’ by critics of his globetrotting – will attend a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ meeting in Paris, and is expected to attend Bastille Day events tomorrow.
