For too long, our northern communities have been ignored by a Westminster focused on London

Andy Burnham is almost guaranteed to be the next prime minister of the United Kingdom after 322 Labour MPs nominated him to take over from Sir Keir Starmer.

The total, which includes Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Lorraine Beavers, means that there are only 81 Labour MPs left who could nominate another contender, the minimum needed to get on to the ballot.

But convention dictates that the outgoing leader does not nominate a candidate, meaning in reality there are no longer enough undeclared MPs to back an alternative to Mr Burnham.

The former Greater Manchester mayor secured the nominations – amounting to 80% of the parliamentary party – by 5pm on Thursday, the first day MPs could formally back a leadership candidate.

‘Westminster is focused on London’

“This morning [July 9] I submitted my nomination for Andy Burnham to be the next leader of the Labour Party and to be our next Prime Minister,” wrote Lorraine Beavers MP. “I have said this before and I will say it again: for too long, our northern communities have been ignored by a Westminster focused on London.

“I am supporting Andy to change that and ensure we have a redistribution of power that allows us to prosper in our community.”