Former Defence Minister Al Carns withdrew from the UK Labour leadership race on July 8, 2026, clearing the path for Makerfield MP Andy Burnham to become the next prime minister following Sir Keir Starmer's recent resignation.
The nomination process officially commenced on Thursday morning at the Parliamentary Labour Party offices in Westminster.
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Candidates require backing from 20 percent of Labour lawmakers, translating to 81 nominations, alongside support from socialist societies, unions, or local constituency parties.
Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticized the transition timeline, labeling the current administration a sluggish operation due to the week-long process before Burnham takes power.
He argued that the multi-day nomination window unnecessarily delays stable governance.
"It is clear Andy Burnham's coronation is already confirmed, yet this zombie government is still dragging on for another week," Hollinrake said.
He urged the incoming administration to shift its focus immediately to pressing national policy matters, stating, "Labour should stop wasting time and get on with setting out how the new prime minister will fund defence and cut welfare."
Al Carns, who previously hesitated to support Burnham without seeing detailed government plans, urged unity behind the sole remaining candidate after a private discussion on Tuesday.
He emphasized that a prolonged internal battle would damage the party's efficiency.
"The division that it would cause if we end up having an internal bloodletting sort of fight over the next three months, given the geopolitical events that we have ongoing, this isn't the best use of our time," Carns said.
