Keir Starmer resigns: Andy Burnham confirms leadership bid after tearful Prime Minister sets out timeline to leave number 10

Andy Burnham is poised to pledge economic growth and commit to Labour's budget rules as he looks to strengthen his financial credentials following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation, which has left him almost certain to walk through the door of No 10.

The former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to deliver a speech on fiscal policy next week, as first reported by The Times, after making his return to Westminster as an MP off the back of his Makerfield by-election win.

Read the full story here.

Tomorrow's papers are unsurprisingly dominated by Starmer's resignation.

Here's a look at the Mirror front page:

Keir Starmer leaves Downing Street having achieved more than the noise of recent weeks has allowed anyone to notice.

Rail brought back into public ownership. The Renters' Rights Bill. A rise in the minimum wage. GB Energy, built from nothing. A genuine reset with the EU after years of drift. More than 40 pieces of legislation in his first year alone. He also stood up to Donald Trump over the Iran war, refusing to be steamrolled into a conflict that served Washington more than Britain.

That is a record of delivery and backbone.

Read the full Voice of the Mirror: 'Keir Starmer's great track record - including tackling Trump - was tainted by errors'

Keir Starmer’s wife Victoria thanked Downing Street staff at drinks in the Number 10 garden this evening - telling them she was "personally really grateful" for their support.

She said: "I just wanted to say thank you from me.

"I obviously love Keir and support him as much as I can, but there’s only so much I could do, and it’s you guys who gave that support day in, day out, and I am personally really grateful for that. So, thank you all."

Emily Thornberry is the latest Labour figure to share her thoughts on Keir Starmer stepping down as PM - listing his decision not to "refuse to join" the Iran war as among his achievements in office.

Victoria Starmer has been Keir Starmer's trusted co-pilot, Real Britain columnist Ros Wynne-Jones writes for the Mirror:

The Prime Minister's tearful exit shows politics is a 'tough, rough, unforgiving, cruel trade', columnist Kevin Maguire writes for the Mirror:

The King is dead, long live the mobbed insurgent King of the North.

Teary Keir Starmer’s enforced abdication and grinning Andy Burnham’s looming coronation perfectly illustrate why politics is a tough, rough, unforgiving, cruel trade with little room for sentiment.

So goodbye an unpopular Prime Minister deserving more credit than ever enjoyed for a string of UK Government popular achievements (e.g. workers’ and renters’ rights) but who should name his memoirs “Winter Fool” for an unrecoverable own goal just three weeks after a remarkable Labour election victory.

And hello to a currently very popular Prime Minister-in-waiting surfing a wave of enthusiasm who either swiftly comes back down to earth to walk the talk by filling policy and political gaps or the buzz rapidly evaporates.

Read more with Mirror+: 'Keir Starmer’s enforced exit and Andy Burnham’s looming coronation shows why politics is cruel trade'

Andy Burnham is on course to become Prime Minister within weeks after Keir Starmer resigned less than two years on from Labour’s landslide win.

Mr Starmer will remain in place until a successor is appointed, with nominations opening on July 9 for a leadership contest. Labour's ruling body is expected to agree the full timetable on Thursday.

Read more with Mirror+: Andy Burnham could be PM within weeks after Keir Starmer's dramatic resignation

The long-awaited UK defence spending plan will still be published before the upcoming NATO summit despite Keir Starmer’s resignation, David Lammy told the Commons this evening.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the plan “will deliver another unprecedented increase in defence spending” when it is published.

“We’re already investing £270 billion over this Parliament,” he added, referring to a period due to span 2024 until 2029.

The NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, begins on July 7.

The latest tribute to Keir Starmer's premiership has come from ex-defence secretary John Healey - who resigned from cabinet only last week in a row over defence spending.

He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) this evening: "Keir Starmer brought Labour back into government after one of the worst defeats in our Labour history.

"Since then with his leadership, we’ve achieved so much we can be proud of: falling NHS waiting lists, stronger renters rights, fairer workplace protections, half a million children out of poverty & the highest ever level of support for Ukraine.

"Change promised, change delivered.

"Today, as always, he has shown great strength, putting public service first.

"It’s now on all of us in government and in the Labour Party to pull together so we’re stronger than ever, to deliver what we’ve promised the British people."

Mirror Politics correspondent Dave Burke writes from Westminster on a day of high political drama:

Labour MPs are currently holding a behind-closed-doors meeting in a committee room in Parliament.So far there’s no sign of Andy Burnham - meaning he’s either otherwise engaged or planning a dramatic (late) entrance.As is tradition, journalists are loitering in the corridor outside room 14 - the same room, it’s worth noting, where Rishi Sunak’s ascent to the top job was confirmed in 2022. These meetings of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) are usually opportunities for frontbenchers to drum up support for the leader.

But with Keir Starmer’s announcement this morning, everyone feels like they’re in limbo. There’s been some applause as Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn addresses MPs, but thus far none of the desk thumping we see when times are good.Lisa Nandy, Yvette Cooper, Lucy Powell and Jess Phillips are among the senior figures in attendance.But unless they slipped in early, Wes Streeting and rumoured challenger Darren Jones are also not in the room.

Andy Burnham took a train from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston for his swearing-in at parliament - and arrived in the capital 20 minutes late.

The former Greater Manchester mayor was greeted by frenzy photographers upon arrival at London Euston station, and left by taxi on the way to Westminster.

The train was late because of a points failure between Stockport and Stoke-on-Trent, Network Rail said.

On the day Keir Starmer announced his exit from Number 10 less than two years after an historic Labour landslide, the Mirror's Political Editor Lizzy Buchan writes:

It was the hope that killed him.

Keir Starmer swept to power on a wave of optimism as fed-up voters kicked the Tories out after 14 years. But the landslide that delivered a near record Commons majority was the root of his undoing.

Labour’s election masterminds found a way to win by being everything to everyone. But once in power, Starmer struggled to hold this electoral coalition together and at times ended up pleasing no one.

His Government made mistakes that led us to this moment. But deep public hostility towards him is out of step with what he has achieved. It is symptomatic of our divided times, the fracturing of two-party politics and the deep frustration of voters.

Read more: Keir Starmer was elected on a wave of hope – then crushed by public expectation

The Mirror's Deputy Political Editor Ashley Cowburn writes:

Wes Streeting has never made any secret of his ambition to one day be Prime Minister.

Just last week he was setting out his economic vision for the country and calling for a "battle of ideas" leadership contest to replace Keir Starmer.

Despite a degree of scepticism among some MPs, the ex-Health Secretary’s team repeatedly insisted he had the numbers required to trigger a contest. He had “every intention” of standing in a battle to replace Starmer, he told journalists assembled at a press conference in central London.

Even as speculation swirled over the Prime Minister’s imminent resignation on Sunday evening, allies were bullish. A source told us: “Wes has always been very clear that his priority is change and that means a change in No10. At the moment he thinks the route to do that is to be a candidate in a leadership contest. He’s got the people, he’s ready to go.”

Read more: Inside Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham's crunch talks as PM resigns - 'no job deal'

Three Lions fans are divided on the resignation of Keir Starmer and chant that they don't want Nigel Farage as Prime Minister, the boss of the England fans team said today.

Garford Beck, 64, from London, has managed the fans' team at World Cup tournaments and in friendlies at home. He featured in an ITV film about England's most loyal fans, seen by millions of TV viewers watching the tournament in the UK.

In Boston for the Ghana game tomorrow, he watched Mr Starmer's resignation unfold on TV in the early hours of the morning US time. Speaking to our reporter in the US, said: "It was dramatic, it was history being made.

"It was inevitable because he had lost the country. England fans have made their feelings known with the famous chant about Starmer.

"But politics does generate a lot of arguments among our supporters. Many of them start singing about Nigel Farage after the Keir Starmer chant saying he is a w***er and they don't want him either.

Read more from the Mirror's Jeremy Armstrong at the World Cup: England fans in US take aim at Nigel Farage with brutal chant after Keir Starmer's resignation

Responding to a question from Kemi Badenoch about the future of defence spending in the Commons, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy replied: “I am proud to serve a Prime Minister whose hard work has made this country stronger and much fairer than the Britain we inherited from the party opposite.

“She knows that the Prime Minister has rebuilt Britain’s international alliances. She can’t deny the five major trade deals that we struck under our watch that she failed to do.

“She knows that we’ve led the coalition of the willing to back Ukraine, we’ve renewed our partnership with Europe, we’re delivering the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War – I’m proud of all of that.”

Andy Burnham is on course be Prime Minister within weeks after Keir Starmer's decision to step down.

The Makerfield MP returned to Parliament on Monday after convincingly winning the most consequential by-elections in the modern age.

Leadership hopeful Wes Streeting threw his weight behind Mr Burnham after Mr Starmer's resignation, in an acknowledgment that the momentum is behind the Greater Manchester mayor.

If no other candidates throw their hat into the ring, Mr Burnham may enter Downing Street in mid-July without the need for an official Labour leadership contest. Some Labour MPs believe he needs to set out his plans for Government before he enters the top job.

"I do think it would be useful for Burnham to set out his form of Manchesterism to the country, to my constituents, so people have a better idea of what it means," one senior Labour MP told The Mirror.

Read more as the Mirror takes a look at what Andy Burnham could do in Downing Street

Speaking in the Commons in the last few moments, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said Keir Starmer has been on the “right side of history” - and paid tribute to the Prime Minister’s foreign policy record.

Updating MPs on the recent G7 summit, Mr Lammy said: “I want to start this statement by paying tribute to his record on foreign policy, which is second to none.

“As Foreign Secretary when we entered Government, I saw first-hand the Prime Minister rebuild our relationship across the world.

“The EU reset we led put Britain at the heart of Europe once again. Embracing President Zelensky on the steps of Downing Street on one of Ukraine’s darkest days, symptomatic of the leadership he showed across Europe and in relation to the threats from Vladimir Putin.

“Principled, courageous and on the right side of history, he drove investment to working people with five trade deals in two years.

“When it came to the most sober decision a Prime Minister has to make on the matter of life and death and war, when others were pushing for the UK to jump head first into another war in the Middle East, Keir Starmer stood strong, stood firm, and said ‘No, this is not our war’, putting British soldiers and the national interest first.

“He made Britain safer, rebuilt Britain’s reputation across the world, drove investment and growth that will support working families in Britain for decades to come.

“Regardless of our politics, everyone in this House owes a debt of gratitude to the Prime Minister on foreign affairs.”

The Mirror's Deputy Political Editor Ashley Cowburn writes from an eventful day in parliament:

Andy Burnham received a celebrity welcome as he arrived in Westminster Hall this afternoon for a family photo with Labour MPs.

Just moments after being sworn in, he arrived with Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell and top allies Louise Haigh and Anneliese Midgley.

Among the dozens of Labour MPs welcoming Mr Burnham back to Parliament - after a decade as Manchester Mayor - included senior Cabinet ministers Rachel Reeves, Ed Miliband, Steve Reed, Darren Jones.

Mr Burnham took selfies with the Labour MPs, who also included Wes Streeting, who just hours earlier dropped his own ambitions for the top job to back the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor.

Born in Liverpool to a BT engineer father and a GP receptionist mother, Burnham's family moved after his dad landed a new job in Manchester.

He grew up in the quiet Cheshire village of Culcheth on the outskirts of Warrington, where he attended St Lewis Catholic Primary School and St Aelred's Roman Catholic High School in Newton-le-Willows.

An ardent Everton FC supporter, the sporty middle son also showed promise as a bowler for Lancashire Schoolboys. Music was another passion - especially The Smiths and The Stone Roses.

In his 2024 book, Burnham reflected: "It was hard to be both a good student and one of the lads."

Read more: Inside life of Andy Burnham - wife's unexpected TV moment, children and voting record

Andy Burnham was joined by a large number of Labour MPs and peers for a welcome photograph in Parliament’s Westminster Hall.

The new MP for Makerfield stood in front of his Labour colleagues on a set of stone stairs leading up through the large medieval hall, just outside the Commons.

He was welcomed with a round of applause and was accompanied by Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell, and Jessica Morden, chair of the PLP.

Some of Starmer's cabinet were seen in the background during the photo call, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, and chief whip Jonathan Reynolds.

Andy Burnham's swearing in at the Commons today drew plenty of attention from fellow MPs for obvious reasons - and even saw a reference made to Monty Python's Life of Brian.

As he appeared before MPs, one heckled him by saying: "You’re not the messiah!". A laughing Mr Burnham quipped: "Naughty boy, is it?

The new Makerfield MP then placed his hand on the Bible to formally take his seat, declaring: "I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors according to law, so help me God."

Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the MP for Makerfield after arriving in Westminster, following his by-election victory.

He was sworn in using a Bible and took the oath of allegiance to the Crown, and walked to the House of Commons despatch box flanked by Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley and Leigh and Atherton's Jo Platt.

Burnham said: "I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."

He was met with cheers from Labour MPs as he swore his oath.

Andy Burnham entered the parliamentary estate through the gate at Canon Row, escorted by a crew of security staff.

As Burnham and his team swept through Parliament's Portcullis House office complex, he met former defence secretary John Healey.

The pair hugged and exchanged a few words before Burnham continued towards the Commons chamber to be sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield.

The Prime Minister was due to give a statement to Parliament this afternoon following his attendance at the G7 summit.

Keir Starmer met with leaders of the G7, including Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron, in Evian, France, and by convention the PM addresses the Commons following an international summit.

It has been reported that David Lammy will instead share a statement to the Commons this afternoon, hours after Starmer's resignation speech.

Sir Keir Starmer played a "significant role" in "resetting the Irish-British" relationship, Ireland's premier has said.

In a statement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin conveyed his "best wishes" to Sir Keir following the announcement of his resignation.

Mr Martin said: "I want to acknowledge the significant role Keir played in resetting the Irish-British relationship as well as relations between the UK and the European Union during his time as Prime Minister. Since Keir took office two years ago, he has worked with us to set a new direction and depth in the relationship between Ireland and the UK, for the benefit of all our citizens, north-south and east-west.

"Our two Governments also took an important step forward in dealing with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland publishing a Joint Framework on addressing the legacy of the Troubles."

He added: "Keir is a person of great ability, decency and honour and I want to wish him, his wife Victoria and their family, very well in their next chapter. I have no doubt that his successor as Prime Minister will wish to continue to deepen and strengthen the relationship between the UK and Ireland, and we will continue to work in furtherance of that objective."

Dozens of journalists waited around a side exit at Euston Station to see a black cab zoom off with Andy Burnham in the back.

After his by-election win in Makerfield, Burnham is expected to be sworn in as a MP in less than an hour.

Burnham, who changed from a black t-shirt into a suit to get off the train in London, had a slip of the tongue as he mixed up his new role as a MP and his old job as Greater Manchester Mayor.

While away from the train at London Euston, Burnham said: "My priority today is to become sworn in, as the Mayor, as the MP for Makerfield and it's been very kind of sad for me to leave Greater Manchester. The people have been brilliant to me over the last few years, I've loved every minute of the role."