Andy Burnham's bid to become Labour leader received a major boost after former Health Secretary Wes Streeting threw his full support behind the Makerfield MP and urged the party to unite behind him.
Mr Streeting effectively ruled himself out of contention and instead called for Labour figures to rally around Mr Burnham rather than engage in a lengthy and potentially divisive leadership contest.
The endorsement is likely to be seen as one of the most important moments of the contest so far, given that Mr Streeting had previously been viewed as one of the strongest potential leadership candidates in his own right.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 22, 2026
Revealing that the pair had held extensive discussions, Mr Streeting said he had "spoken at length with Andy in recent days" before deciding to publicly back him.
He said those conversations had convinced him that Mr Burnham was the right person to lead the Labour Party through one of the most challenging periods in its history.
Mr Streeting said he believed Mr Burnham "is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions".
He went even further, arguing that the former Greater Manchester mayor was best placed to confront the political threats facing Labour and the wider country.
In one of the most striking lines of his endorsement, Mr Streeting said Mr Burnham could "win the fight of our lives against the force of nationalism".
The comments echo concerns expressed by many Labour figures following recent election setbacks and the continued rise of Reform UK, with party strategists increasingly focused on how to rebuild support among working-class voters.
Rather than encouraging a contested race, Mr Streeting openly called for Labour to unite around a single candidate.
"We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs," he said.
The remarks are likely to be interpreted as a direct appeal to potential rivals to step aside and avoid a prolonged leadership battle.
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Mr Streeting left little doubt about where he stands, adding: "That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy too."
Mr Burnham brings extensive experience to the race, having served as both Health Secretary and Chief Secretary to the Treasury before spending years as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
His supporters argue that his record on transport, devolution and regional growth has given him a strong connection with voters outside Westminster and positioned him as a politician capable of rebuilding Labour's electoral coalition.
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