Peterborough City Council's Labour leader backs Andy Burnham to be next Prime Minister

Labour Councillor Shabina Qayyum says that she believes Mr Burnham with his vast experience of Government is the right person to take the country forward after the resignation of Sir Kier Starmer.

Mr Starmer stood outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, June 22 to announce that he would be standing down as prime minister after just shy of two years in the role after winning the general election in July 2024.

Afterwards, Cllr Qayyum said: “I was watching the Prime Minister deliver his resignation speech and I wanted to thank him for his service to our great country.

"Sir Keir brought the Labour Party back from the brink of disaster.

"For me as Leader, his legacy of seeing us deliver two Labour MPs to the city and a Labour Administration is something I could not envisage prior to his becoming the Leader of our party.

Delivering Free School Meals to our city's children, investing in SEND, platforming more communities in number 10 than any other Prime Minister before him in recent history and representing our nation with gravitas on the international stage is praiseworthy and for that I will always be grateful.

"He offered his resignation with grace, ever the statesman and will be known for putting the country first in this step for which I will always be proud of him.

Cllr Qayyum said: “I believe in stability and consistency.

"We have managed to deliver that for our city and made huge strides despite the national issues and now, more than ever, it is important to continue on that trajectory with a new Prime Minister who will make it their life's work to reinvigorate and win back the hearts of those people who have been left disappointed in our movement.

"Labour’s values are to stand up for the working class, and I believe that Andy Burnham with his vast experience in Government, serving in Cabinet and his relatability alongside transforming whole communities and cities in his role as Manchester's Mayor has the strength to deliver.

"I support Andy Burnham to become the Prime Minister and for now, I must continue to focus with every bit of strength in me, alongside my administration colleagues and MPs to deliver for the people of Peterborough.

"That is my number one priority."

Kier Starmer’s decision to quit as Labour Party leader will trigger a contest to chose a new prime minister.

Labour’s governing body, the National Executive Committee, will be asked to draw up a timetable to choose a replacement, with nominations opening on July 9 and ending by the summer recess on July 16.

Sir Keir said he would work to ensure an "orderly" transition of power.

He was elected leader of the Labour Party in April 2020 and became prime minister on July 5, 2024.

The decision to step down means the UK will soon have its seventh prime minister since 2016.

It is reported many MPs are supporting the former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election on June 18, to become the new Labour Party leader and prime minister.