322 Labour MPs Nominate Andy Burnham as Next Party Leader

Three hundred twenty-two Labour MPs nominated Andy Burnham as the party's next leader, placing him one nomination short of the total that would render any challenge impossible. Burnham remains the only declared candidate. He is expected to be declared Labour leader on July 17 and to take office as prime minister on July 20.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, whose Wigan constituency borders Burnham's Makerfield seat, told BBC Radio 4 that a leadership contest was unnecessary. Nandy said a Labour government under Burnham would act more quickly than its predecessor. She backed his plan to establish a No 10 north in Manchester and noted that an overwhelming number of MPs had endorsed the direction he set out.

Burnham outlined his vision for the party in a speech at the People's History Museum in Manchester last Monday. Nandy said she had not been told whether she would remain culture secretary or be offered another post, and she noted that Burnham had not offered jobs to anyone in the current cabinet.

She added that two things would be different under Burnham, though she did not specify them in the interview.