Andy Burnham is set to become leader of Britain’s governing Labour Party on Friday, completing the final step before taking office as the country’s seventh prime minister in a decade.
At a special Labour conference, Burnham is expected to be formally elected after securing overwhelming backing from Labour lawmakers. He will officially succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday.
His appointment comes as Labour seeks to halt the growing popularity of Reform UK ahead of the next general election, which must be held by 2029.
Focus on shifting power to the regions
Burnham, 56, returned to Parliament last month after winning the Makerfield parliamentary seat, beginning the process that will see him replace Starmer.
In his first speech since returning to Westminster, Burnham outlined his domestic priorities, including what he described as the “biggest rebalancing of power” from London to Britain’s regions.
He argued that devolving more power would help reduce regional inequality and address frustration among communities that have increasingly shifted their support to Reform UK.
That message helped secure strong backing from Labour lawmakers, many of whom are concerned about losing their seats to Nigel Farage’s populist party, which has led opinion polls for several months.
Pressure to deliver quickly
Recent weeks have seen Reform UK face scrutiny after Farage accepted funding from wealthy donors, a development that could offer Labour an opportunity to regain public support.
However, Burnham is expected to face immediate pressure to deliver on his promises.
With the next general election potentially less than three years away, he will need to begin implementing his agenda despite many of his proposals being designed for long-term change.
Nigel Wilcock, executive director of the Institute of Economic Development, said Burnham had spent years advocating a different model for economic growth, but noted that the real challenge would be turning that vision into reality.
