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

I’m happy to give Burnham a go, but really it doesn’t matter that much. The country still has the same problems and he is going to be better at dealing with them, or he won’t be. He’ll either borrow more, or he won’t. We’re so constricted that there can’t be that much movement. I’m just relieved we still aren’t being managed by those people- hating, self interested wealth accumulators in Reform and similar.

Not sure what will happen with Nigel Farage and the 5 million donation. I heard him on Nick Ferrari briefly yesterday and then later on on LBC. The lingering thing is that whilst he was not an MP he was the owner of a major political party via shares and I have no idea what that means legally.

You forgot Greenland. One solution to the security problems identified, would be an immediate UK invasion of Greenland, spearheaded by an elite unit of one million welfare claimants.

Well one thing I do agree with Burnham on is the apprenticeship route for young people and making that a priority but how that is going to be funded is another matter. Some other countries fund it via tax breaks for corporates and an obligation for them to have to take apprentices if they are of a certain size.

The £10 poms of the 21st century maybe.

I’m pretty sure we tried that - NIC reduction. I’ll have to check back though

It is interesting isn’t it. The media grilling Farage right now, why right now.

He’s been asked about the £5m since the story came out

But the Lib Dems made him a subject of a poster about Nigel’s “Brexit payoff” and of course we are at the 10th anniversary of the vote,

www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/lib-dems-launch-billboards-across-uk-attacking-farages-pound5m-reward-for-brexit

Thanks @SheilaFentiman - makes sense.

The least worst option IMHO.

Reeves has told the BBC, “I’m supporting Andy to be prime minister”.

Bit like a turkey supporting the coming of Christmas.

Regardless of whether he was an MP when he actually received the money, when he became an MP, he was required to register gifts received in the 12 months before his election.

Purely personal gifts from family etc don't have to be registered. But a £5m donation from a major political donor to an unrelated political figure hardly looks "purely personal". And the rules require that, if there is any doubt, things must be registered.

I think it's extremely clear that he broke the rules. But I suspect he'll get away with it. Shocking, really.

The Libdems sum it up perfectly.

She doesn’t have much choice at this point. I don’t think she’ll stay in the role.

I don’t think anyone is coming out and saying anyone other than Burnham (reasonable as no one else has confirmed a challenge)

Very good. And the pregnant pause at PMQs yesterday.

I think it's established that (a) nobody can clear the bar for nomination and (b) even if they could then barring something earth shattering Burnham would win a membership ballot hands down.

Reeves and Phillipson really need to go. Phillipson has really failed education and SEND and is the worst representation of Labour spite. If she doesn’t go there is no change! She is the prime person who needs the chop!

Reeves is toxic, I’m afraid.

In large part, she is responsible for Starmer’s demise.

It's a clever ad from the Lib dems.

I missed PMQs yesterday - what happened?

I think it’s more on him. It’s his own failings.

Although she still needs to go and Phillipson too, thankfully looks likely given the press release from the NEU.

Ed Davey completely owned the Commons. He said that amidst their robustness in the House they should still all remember they are human. He then just paused, and paused, and looked. And everyone knew it was Badenoch that was off ...

From 17.30
Prime Minister's Questions - 24/06/2026 - BBC iPlayer

Yes, one of which was him being compelled to leave her in situ, despite her obvious shortcomings and incompetence.

To add to his failings, Starmer was evidently not blessed with a functioning antennae when it came to people.

Thank you! Will have a watch.