Politics
Union backing secures Labour leadership for Andy Burnham
July 15, 2026 at 04:27 PM · Updated 94d ago
Coverage
6 reports · over 3 hours
TGThe Guardian
Shabana Mahmood expected to be named Andy Burnham’s chancellor
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TGThe Guardian
Andy Burnham signals a wealth tax is off the agenda for now
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BNBBC News
Burnham does not rule out wealth tax
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BNBBC News
Iain Watson: Burnham faces crucial choice for chancellor as battle for No 11 continues
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TGThe Guardian
Andy Burnham’s path to No 10: inside the 17 July Guardian Weekly
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BNBBC News
Union backing to seal Labour leadership for Andy Burnham
(opens the publisher’s site)Andy Burnham has won the required trade union support, making him the sole candidate to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader.
- Burnham has secured nominations from 349 Labour MPs and eight of the party's 11 affiliated unions, eliminating any rival candidate.
- He is set to be unveiled as Labour leader on Friday and to enter Downing Street as prime minister three days later.
- Unite said its nomination and future support would be conditional on Burnham introducing a wealth tax and loosening government borrowing rules to boost investment.
- The nomination window opens this evening and will run for 24 hours, with unions such as GMB, Unison, and Usdaw already confirming their backing.
Latest developments
- Jul 15 — Incoming PM Andy Burnham has indicated his government may need to 'ask for a little more' in tax before signaling a wealth tax is off the agenda for now, saying he does not want to 'create new divisions.'
- Jul 15 — Allies have named Shabana Mahmood as the frontrunner for chancellor, though Ed Miliband remains widely expected for the role but faces opposition from oil and gas unions.
- Jul 15 — Burnham is expected to announce his cabinet on Monday.
- Jul 15 — Senior Labour figures expect Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to be named chancellor, amid a briefing war over Ed Miliband's potential appointment.
- Jul 15 — Burnham's team insists no final decision has been made and the cabinet will be appointed after he enters No 10 on Monday.