Burnham unopposed & likely to be PM by mid July

[Twiglets1]

Wes Streeting confirms on social media that he won’t stand as a candidate for the Labour leadership. He says that a contest where candidates spent the summer “exaggerating small differences” would not be good for the party or the country, and having spoken to Burnham, he is confident that that there is “a place” for the policies he has been advocating under a Burnham premiership.

The Guardian say this means it is now very, very likely that Burnham will be PM be mid July. It is conceivable that another candidate may come forward. But, apart from Streeting, no one else has publicly signalled an intention to stand, and with Burnham now a shoo-in, it is hard to imagine any other MP getting the support they would need to be a candidate.

heguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/22/keir-starmer-resignation-timeable-andy-burnham-labour-leadership-prime-minister-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6a390a538f08adffab1e97fd#block-6a390a538f08adffab1e97fd

Rachel Reeves on the verge of tears from what I saw.

Again.

Crocodylus springs to mind….

Keir Starmer's record as prime minister
Ben Chu BBC Verify policy and analysis correspondent

Keir Starmer has overseen a number of changes since he took office in July 2024 - here's a closer a look at his record as he prepares to depart office:

Economic growth picked up - The UK economy registered the fastest growth among the G7 nations in the first quarter of 2026, expanding by 0.6%. However, many analysts do not expect this to last due to the war in Iran.

Immigration fell - The total number of Channel crossings last year was the second highest on record after 2022's peak under the previous Conservative government, though overall immigration to the UK and net migration have both fallen significantly.

NHS waiting lists down - The overall number of waits for treatment in England in April was 7.22 million, down from 7.62 million in June 2024, a decrease of 400,000.

Energy bills up - The latest domestic energy price cap set by Ofgem, the energy regulator, for the summer of 2026 is an annual rate of £1,862 for a typical household - in part reflecting the impact of global events like the Iran war.

Benefit spending increased - The latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility show the total UK welfare bill - including the state pension - rising from 10.7% of UK GDP in 2024-25 to 11.1% by 2029-30. Starmer attempted to curb the rising welfare bill, but was forced by his own backbenchers to retreat.

was forced by his own backbenchers to retreat.
It will now be interesting to see what develops with many of these same MPs with Burnham.

Multiple press tipping Shabana Mahmood as Chancellor.
I did say I like her and she is the best they have currently in terms of competency.
If she is chancellor and a good one, she may have a chance at the top job.

Burnham will be our PM from Monday.

The new Chancellor in No 11 will be either Mahmood (most likely) or Ed Miliband, Yvette Cooper or Wes Streeting.

Praying it’s Milliband, who understands economics.Wouldn’t that the a thing!

The markets don’t seem to want Red Ed. The pound went up/gilt price more favourable on speculation of Mahmood instead. Back to 1.18 to the euro. So investors think she will be better for the economy.

Do they indeed?

Anyway, he’s making a speech today, so just a tiny bit of time left to cram in a couple more warnings. There have been a few 😀

I don't think Wes has had a mention recently in the fight to be chancellor, wonder where he will be.

There are two articles in the Guardian about Mahmood, so it is not really a warning. But if it proves to be incorrect why rally the market on speculation for it to then go down if it is Ed Milliband after all, straight away as Burnham comes in.

Burnham is maintaining that Labour will be more united under him. It seems obvious that a lot of the unrest has been fuelled by members of the PLP who think they should have a more significant job. With over 400 of them this will result, again, in significant disappointment ......

Surely Mahmood is a smart appointment because whoever goes against her may be accused of racism and sexism potentially. One female chancellor already couldn’t really get on. Labour need to allow stronger women to shine, it’s a must.

Yes maybe -but I think she is doing a really good job where she is so would prefer her to stay there really.

There will be no change in two of the most important roles advising the PM. These are financial, and the national security advisor, who have both been retained.

This is how I see it.
The UK suffered a mini death under Brexit as a country (contrast to eg Germany that suffered a full national identity death after the defeat in the Second World War).
10 years post Brexit there is a need to redefine national values clearly and do things differently. It may well end up left on own industry/own workers but slightly more right on other matters. Whatever it is, it is unity that is most urgent. A lot of the past ideologies do not work anymore and a lot of the thinking there (which tends to be male centric and of the past) is now redundant. It is really important that existing Labour MPs look at their own privilege and their own ideologies and stop pretending to be working class when the large majority are anything but.