Andy Burnham has effectively sealed his path to Downing Street, clinching an extra 27 nominations from Labour MPs to lift his tally to 349 and leave him poised to become the next UK prime minister.
Those additional backers — added to the 322 he secured last week — have shut off any viable route for a rival, making it impossible for another contender to reach the 81 endorsements required to mount a challenge for the Labour leadership.
After nearly 80% of the Parliamentary Labour Party formally nominated Mr Burnham last week, today’s further declarations of support pushed him beyond the point of no return.
Among the latest names to line up behind him was Communities Secretary Steve Reed, a prominent ally of Keir Starmer.
Shabana Mahmood and Anna Turley, by convention, will not nominate anyone because of their positions chairing Labour’s national executive committee and the party respectively.
Mr Starmer, as outgoing leader, also by convention does not take part.
Mr Burnham’s backers also included junior ministers Chris Bryant and Mike Tapp, former minister Jess Phillips, and Richard Burgon, the secretary of the left-wing Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs.
With no other candidate standing against him to replace Mr Starmer, Mr Burnham is expected to be confirmed as Labour leader at a special party conference on Friday.
He would then enter No 10 as prime minister three days later, on 20 July.
Andy Burnham is expected to begin the hustings with a tribute to former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe
Culture change
Even as the sole contender, Mr Burnham is expected to face Labour MPs in an online hustings, using the event to begin setting the tone of his leadership.
Labour sources said Mr Burnham plans to spell out a broad agenda, with priorities including devolving power to communities, boosting growth across the UK and taking on the cost of living.
He is expected to acknowledge Mr Starmer for fulfilling his pledge on a Hillsborough Law — which returns to Parliament tomorrow — while also promising to lead a drive to change Labour’s internal culture, repeating his commitment to bring cabinet ministers in from across the party.
Mr Burnham is also expected to open the hustings by paying tribute to former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who died last week.
In a tweet ahead of the hustings, Mr Burnham said she had been the victim of an “appalling act of violence” and insisted the police “must be given the resources and space they need so justice can be done as quickly as possible”.
