The Labour Party has published the timetable for selecting its new leader, potentially allowing Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister by July 17. The National Executive Committee (NEC) released the schedule on Thursday afternoon, following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation after the Makerfield by-election.
Timetable for Leadership Selection
Nominations for the Parliamentary Labour Party open on Thursday, July 9. Labour MPs and peers will participate in hustings on Monday, July 13. Labour affiliates, including trade unions and socialist societies, can nominate their preferred candidate between 6pm on Wednesday, July 15, and 6pm on Thursday, July 16.
If only one candidate secures the required nominations, a leadership special conference will be held on Friday, July 17, confirming them as the winner. This scenario would see Andy Burnham become Prime Minister on that date.
Multiple Candidates Scenario
If more than one candidate emerges, local Labour branches can make nominations between July 20 and July 31. Labour members would then be balloted from August 6 to August 27, with the result announced on Saturday, August 29.
Andy Burnham has already signalled his intention to run, stating he would put himself forward as part of the process. If he is the sole candidate, he would take the keys to Number 10.
Keir Starmer's Transition
Sir Keir Starmer, speaking on a visit to a cinema in Milton Keynes on Thursday, said he would be professional and ensure an orderly transition. “I am stepping down after two years, leaving the country in a better position than when I found it,” he told reporters. “I will do that with good grace, and I will do that making sure that there is an orderly transition. I’m going to be professional, I’m going to have foremost in my mind a sense of service and duty that has driven me as Prime Minister. I will continue to faithfully serve my country to make sure that any disruption is absolutely minimised, and that’s why I’m taking steps now to ensure that can be done in a sensible way.”
