Andy Burnham poised to become Britain's next PM after most Labour lawmakers support him

Andy Burnham is on the brink of becoming Britain's next prime minister after securing 322 Labour MP nominations, just one short of a guaranteed leadership position.

Andy Burnham is on ​the brink of becoming Britain's next ​prime minister after an ‌overwhelming show ​of support from Labour lawmakers left him all but certain to replace Keir Starmer. Burnham said he ‌had received nominations from 322 out of the 403 Labour members of parliament on the first day of nominations on Thursday, leaving him one short ‌of ensuring he can be the only candidate.

"It's all starting to ‌feel very real," Burnham said in a short video clip announcing he had nominated himself. The nominations for the Labour leadership close next Thursday. Burnham is expected to be ⁠formally ​anointed as Labour leader ⁠next Friday and will be officially named as prime minister on July 20.

Once Burnham ⁠reaches 323 nominations, no other candidate would be able to secure the backing ​of the 81 needed to enter the contest to replace Starmer. Some ⁠Labour members of parliament say they were not able to vote on Thursday but will ⁠back ​Burnham once they return to parliament on Monday.

Burnham's path to the leadership was effectively secured on Wednesday night when Al Carns, the ⁠former junior defence minister, said he would not stand against him. Starmer announced his ⁠resignation last ⁠month after a poor performance in local elections in May prompted growing calls from lawmakers for a change of ‌leadership ‌and direction.