Andy Burnham has been officially sworn in as Makerfield’s new MP amid loud cheers from his Labour colleagues in the House of Commons.
Just hours earlier, Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation both as prime minister and Labour leader.
Former Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election by 9,000 votes last week after seeing off a challenge from Reform UK, has confirmed he wants to succeed Starmer.
The by-election was triggered when Labour’s Josh Simons stood down to make way for Burnham, who represented the neighbouring Greater Manchester constituency of Leigh between 2001 until 2017, when he became mayor.
Burnham bowed his head several times as he made his way through the Commons chamber and grinned as he was greeted by his colleagues.
Sir Desmond Swayne, a Conservative former minister, heckled as Burnham approached the clerks to be sworn in.
“Rome is saved,” he said.
In another heckle, MPs were told that “he’s not the messiah” and there was a shout of “water into wine”.
Nodding to Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Burnham replied: “Naughty boy.”
It was a “beyond celebratory” mood, the BBC’s chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman said in Westminster Hall, where MPs assembled to have their photo taken which is customary for all by-election winners.
Burnham was greeted with whoops and cheers from about 200 Labour MPs with notable senior figures from Starmer’s government among those who got there earliest for a prime spot including Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds, the chief whip – both front and centre – as well as Steve Reed and Nick Thomas-Symonds.
Starmer was not there for the welcome photograph.
Burnham later got out his phone and took a selfie with the crowd, straining to fit them all into one screen.
Burnham confirmed his intention to run for the leadership, posting on X earlier: “Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.
“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way.
“I will put myself forward as part of this process.
“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.”
He added: “As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be.
“People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.
“The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose. This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.”
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has announced he will back Burnham’s leadership bid.
Streeting resigned from the government last month, saying he had lost confidence in Starmer’s leadership.
Before catching a train to London, Burnham said farewell to his staff at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
He was given a Manchester-themed armchair as a leaving present, embroidered with bees – the symbol of Manchester – and the Manchester skyline.
It also contains the phrase “we do things differently here” on it.
Burnham “thanked staff from the bottom of his heart” as he appeared at a staff meeting before leaving Manchester.
He became emotional as he told the assembled crowd that the job of Greater Manchester mayor had been the “privilege” of his life. (BBC News)
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