If Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister he will face a ‘colossal’ set of opportunities and risks to define how the next generation experiences health and care, health experts have warned.
The newly-elected MP for Makerfield and former Greater Manchester Mayor said yesterday that he will stand to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has backed Mr Burnham as the next leader of the Labour party, following the Prime Minister’s resignation this morning.
Sir Keir announced his resignation in an emotional speech on the steps of 10 Downing Steet, following poor local election results in May, ministerial resignations and plunging popularity ratings.
No official party timetable has been announced, but in his resignation speech Sir Keir said contenders to replace him would have between 9 and 16 July to pull together the necessary support to stand.
The chief executive of The King’s Fund think tank, Sarah Woolnough, said that whoever becomes next leader of the Labour Party will face a colossal set of both opportunities and risks.
She added: ‘The next leader of the Labour Party has the chance to define how the next generation experiences health and care. In their in-tray will be a colossal set of both opportunities and risks.
‘At the heart of these opportunities is both the chance to reverse our declining national healthy life expectancy and revamp an approach that champions good health in all policies, as well as to finally deliver on the reform of adult social care.
‘These reforms remain the biggest unresolved policy question of the past 25 years, and has left too many people living with unmet needs, unable to access the care they deserve.
‘Whether it is through accelerating the timetable for the Casey Commission or proposing a concrete model for reform, the test of the next prime minister will be if they can deliver reforms where so many have previously failed.’
Meanwhile, Community Pharmacy England’s director of NHS services Alastair Buxton said he hoped a Burnham premiership would convert words into action on prevention.
Speaking at the Community Pharmacy and General Practice Conference on 22 June, Mr Buxton said: ‘Well, whoever the new Prime Minister is, if it is somebody from Manchester, we know he’s had a big focus on prevention.
‘So, I hope that will genuinely, for the first time ever, move from being words to action, but we need funding to get people to create teams to start with before we can do anything locally.’
Mr Burnham has overseen devolved health in Manchester whilst serving as mayor but is also a former health secretary and shadow health secretary.
His win in the Makerfield by-election last Thursday, where he successfully held off a challenge from Reform UK, cleared a path for him to return to Westminster and launch a formal leadership bid.
Posting on social media after Sir Keir’s resignation Mr Burnham said: ‘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.’
In Sir Keir’s resignation speech, he said that under his leadership Labour secured ‘the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years’ but that the party has been asking whether he is ‘best placed to lead us into the next general election’.
Sir Keir said: ‘I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.
‘Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.’
He added that he will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed by the summer recess.
Sir Keir said: ‘I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.
‘I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.’
