Wes Streeting backs Andy Burnham in leadership election

The former health secretary Wes Streeting has announced he is backing Andy Burnham in the upcoming Labour leadership election.

Streeting – who was previously understood to be planning his own leadership bid – made the announcement after Keir Starmer confirmed he will be resigning as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party.

In a statement on social media, Wes Streeting said: “Keir Starmer led us to a general election that no one thought possible. He kept us out of the war in Iran and has delivered real progress as Prime Minister at home. He has made the right decision to stand down as the leader of the Labour Party that he saved.

“After a devastating set of election results in May, the Makerfield by-election has proven that Labour can still win if we have the courage to change. It was a victory for unity and hope over division and hatred.”

In the statement, Streeting went on to lay our the positions he has been advocating for in recent weeks as part of his seeming bid for the leadership.

However, he then went on to say: “Having spoken at length with Andy [Burnham] in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership: that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.”

With Streeting pulling out of the race, it has become more likely that Burnham will ascend to the leadership without any opposition.

In his resignation speech, Starmer indicated that nominations for the Labour leadership contest will open on July 9.

Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward