Andy Burnham was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield on Monday, hours after Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Labour Party leader.
Burnham earlier said he would stand to replace the prime minister, with backing from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who quit Starmer’s government last month and had previously said he would contest any leadership race.
After being sworn in, Burnham was met with whoops and cheers as he posed for pictures with about 200 Labour MPs.
If there was any doubt the leadership election was over before it began, Burnham’s reception in Westminster Hall ought to expunge it, political correspondents noted.
Speaking outside No 10 earlier, Starmer thanked his wife in an emotional speech and said he wanted to be the “best dad I can to my beautiful children.”
Starmer said he would remain as prime minister until his successor is chosen, which would happen by the time “Parliament returns in September” or sooner if Labour gets behind one candidate and there is no contest.
Political reaction has been coming in throughout the day, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accusing Burnham of wanting a “summer holiday” and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey criticising the “endless merry-go-round of prime ministers.”
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s decision to back Burnham’s bid for the top job means the new Makerfield MP could swiftly gain an unassailable lead among Labour parliamentarians.
If there is a coronation and no contest, Burnham could be moving into No 10 within weeks, political correspondents said.
Most Labour MPs seem more interested in who, and what, is next, with many concluding that Burnham is their best hope now.
It is increasingly likely he is prime minister in just a matter of weeks, making him the fifth Prime Minister in the past four years.
