Andy Burnham could soon become the UK's next Prime Minister following Keir Starmer's resignation. The Labour Party set out a timeline for a leadership contest, but there is little evidence for any contenders but Burnham. The current government are said to be united in their support for the newly elected Makerfield MP as its next leader.
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who had stayed loyal to Sir Keir, both said that Labour MPs were backing a coronation of Burnham, rather than a contest. Starmer's likely successor set out his plans for the economy and devolution in a key address in Manchester on Monday (June 29).
But moments after he concluded his speech, Burnham was hit with a wave of criticism. Most notably, from Jeremy Clarkson, who declared the British electorate will be worse off. Taking to X, one user posed the question: "Do you think Andy Burnham will be worse than Starmer?" to which the 66-year-old motoring journalist bluntly replied: "Yes".
It's not all bad news for Burnham, who is vying for leadership, as these celebrities are backing the 10 Downing Street hopeful.
The actor best known for his role as Alan Partridge threw his support behind Andy Burnham during the newly elected MP's campaign. Steve Coogan, 60, appeared in a video, where the politician said he was “losing the poster war” and had been told that other campaigners had celebrity endorsements.
Coogan then appears in frame, joking: “Andy wanted a slightly classier celebrity to endorse his campaign, but he had to put up with me instead.”
(Image: Getty)
Another celebrity to voice her support for Burnham is none other than Labour supporter, Carol Vorderman. The former Countdown star, 65, reacted to his win in Makerfield in an Instagram video.
She commented: “I'm so happy... Burnham wins resoundingly by about 55% of the vote. Isn’t that fantastic?
“Congratulations, Makerfield. As someone who came from the North – and I’m not a South East bird, I’ve lived in Bristol nearly 20 years now –
it’s like, finally, we’re gonna have someone who thinks about places outside the South East. And it’s just gonna be marvellous, Andy Burnham for prime minister.”
(Image: Getty)
