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Burnham poised to become PM as nominations open 9 July

Burnham poised to become PM as nominations open 9 July

Andy Burnham is on the verge of becoming Britain’s next prime minister as nominations for Labour’s leadership contest open on 9 July. Currently the only declared candidate, he holds the backing of well over two hundred of Labour’s four hundred and three MPs, far exceeding the eighty-one nominations required for a place on the ballot. Former health secretary Wes Streeting and Rachel Reeves have both publicly endorsed him. If no other candidate comes forward before nominations close on 16 July, a special Labour conference on 17 July will confirm him as leader, with the King then inviting him to form a government. A contested race would conclude by 1 September. Burnham, who served for nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester, has pledged to rebuild public trust in government. Christians across the parties have called for prayer, and church leaders have urged whoever leads Britain next to prioritise integrity, justice, and the wellbeing of all citizens.