By Jack James | June 27, 2026
Monday morning’s podium moment from the Prime Minister triggered a day like no other in Westminster.
In a surprise announcement, Keir Starmer confirmed what many had long suspected: he would resign as Leader of the Labour Party and as Prime Minister. In his resignation speech, he told the public that he had inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially, and morally bankrupt. He went on to highlight what he called the results of the “hard work of change”, pointing to a drastically improved economy and a party that had learned to stand proudly with – rather than against – the national flag. He ended his address in tears, paying tribute to his wife and children, who had been “a rock by his side through good times and bad”.
Shortly after Sir Keir declared his intention to stand down, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced he would not be entering the Labour leadership contest and instead threw his support behind Andy Burnham – who, at that point, had not even been sworn in as a Member of Parliament following his by-election victory.
In the early afternoon, Burnham said goodbye to his team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and caught a train to Westminster. On arrival in London, he was whisked to Parliament in a black cab. During the journey, he posted on X to confirm his intention to stand as Leader of the Labour Party. Once there, he was sworn in as an MP alongside the new Conservative and SNP members, Douglas Lumsden and Lara Bird.
Burnham was then joined by more than 200 Labour MPs for a group photograph in Westminster Hall. Among the key figures present were Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
With Burnham now officially in the Commons, speculation immediately began swirling around Westminster about who would fill the key seats around the Cabinet table.
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