Labour elects Andy Burnham as new party leader

Andy Burnham is positioned to become the next U.K. prime minister after winning the Labour leadership contest. He would assume the role on July 20, three days after the July 17 vote. Burnham currently serves as mayor of Manchester. He previously won the Makerfield by-election and is scheduled to deliver a speech on the economy and devolution on Monday.

Background on the Transition Sir Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister on Monday. A successor could be elected by July 17 if Burnham remains the only candidate. David Miliband spoke at a Center for Global Development event in London on Friday. He described Burnham as having openness and energy that is attractive and positive.

Miliband called the expected appointment of James Purnell as Burnham's Downing Street chief of staff fantastic. He repeated his criticism of Sir Keir Starmer's decision last year to reduce U.K. development assistance from 0.5 percent to 0.3 percent of national income.

Miliband joined Tony Blair's cabinet in 2006 as environment secretary and was promoted to foreign secretary in 2007. He ran for Labour leader in 2010 but lost to his brother Ed. The BBC reported that Miliband quit as MP for South Shields in 2023 and now serves as president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.

He is the older brother of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Speculation has arisen that Miliband could return to government if given a peerage in the House of Lords, similar to the path taken by David Cameron. He added that he has not lost his youthful optimism.