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Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Burnham Set To Become UK PM After Winning Backing Of 322 Labour MPs
Caption: Burnham Set To Become UK PM After Winning Backing Of 322 Labour MPs. Andy Burnham has moved a step closer to becoming the next U.K. prime minister after securing the backing of 322 of Labour's 402 MPs in the first leadership nomination tally. Burnham is the only declared candidate and needs just one more nomination to make it mathematically impossible for a rival to enter the contest. If no challenger emerges, he is expected to become Labour leader next week before taking office as prime minister on 20 July. Burnham thanked MPs for their support, saying it reflected a shared belief that Britain needs "a new approach to politics" focused on spreading power beyond Westminster. He also joked about Nigel Farage's Clacton by-election, telling comedian Count Binface he was "carrying the hopes of the nation.” Burnham's rapid rise follows his by-election victory in Makerfield and Keir Starmer's resignation as Labour leader. Candidates have until next Wednesday to secure the backing of 81 Labour MPs, but former defence minister Al Carns has already ruled himself out. Burnham is expected to face Labour MPs at a parliamentary hustings next week before formally taking over the party and moving into Downing Street. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Andy Burnham,Labour Party,Labour leadership,UK prime minister,Keir Starmer,Downing Street,Parliament,Nigel Farage,Labour MPs,Labour leadership race,UK politics,Makerfield,Westminster
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