Just hours after the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, few doubt who his successor will be. Andy Burnham confirmed this Monday his desire to become the new labor leader and everything indicates that it will do so without major impediments. The main candidate to challenge him for the leadership of the party, the former Minister of Health Wes Streeting, has confirmed that he will not present his candidacy in a internal process and it is assumed that no other member of the formation will achieve the support of at least 81 deputies of his bench (20% of the total), the minimum necessary to enter the dispute.
He apoyo a Burnham in their ranks it is practically unanimous. The former mayor of Manchester has taken possession of his seat in the House of Commons this afternoon, after his victory in the elections in the Makerfield constituency last week, and subsequently he had a mass bath with his party’s deputies, who received him as if his appointment as new leader was already a reality. For practical purposes, the new Labor MP will have to wait at least until mid july to settle in Downing Street.
Starmer has confirmed that the National Executive Committee of the party (NEC, in its acronym in English) will open the process to receive nominations next July 9. From that date and for one week, all applicants for the position They will be able to present themselves, although for now the only one who has openly shown his intention has been Burnham. “The decision [de Starmer] It marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process be carried out in an orderly and responsible manner. I will offer to be part of this process“, assured the new deputy. “The country expects stability, seriousness and a constant focus on the issues that matter most, and that is what it will get.”
Streeting support
Shortly after, Streeting has published a statement in which it has publicly shown their support Burnham and has ruled out running in the primary. “After having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I am convinced that my ideas have a place under his leadership“said the former minister. “We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him carry out the change that our party and our country need. That is the decision that I have made and I hope everyone else supports him too.”.
In the event that no alternative candidate steps forward, Burnham could be named new labor leader and prime minister the next July 17. Meanwhile, the new deputy will begin working in the new Government, in which some significant changes are expected. Many assume that the Minister of Economy, Rachel Reeveswill leave the Executive and point to the possibility that the current Minister of Energy and former leader of the party, Ed Milibandtake your place. Miliband, representative of the left of the party, has been one of the great supporters of Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street and her name sounds loudalthough his appointment in charge of Economy threatens to cause fear in the markets and cause a rise in debt interest.
Future Government
Regardless of who forms the next government team, the big question is whether Starmer’s successor will be able to implement the necessary changes to regain the trust of voters and stop the rise of the extreme right. The fact of not having been elected in a general election will force him to comply with the electoral program with which his party ran in the 2024 elections, something that will limit his ability to act.
The delicate economic situation will also give little room for maneuver to carry out some of the most urgent tasks, such as increasing defense investments, without raising taxes or applying cuts to public spending. Burnham’s appointment as prime minister is already taken for granted, but her task at the head of the new Government is not easy at all.
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