On June 22, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Keir Starmer, announced his resignation. The politician most frequently mentioned as his possible successor in the ruling Labour Party is Andrew Bernham.
Medianews.az reports that Andrew Bernham was born in 1970 in a working-class family in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, England. He studied English language at Liverpool Polytechnic Institute. From his youth, he was close to the Labour Party and interested in politics.
Bernham began his career as a journalist and later worked in various structures of the Labour Party.
Elected to parliament in 2001, Bernham quickly became one of the leading figures of the party. From 2007 to 2008, he served as the chief secretary to the Treasury, from 2008 to 2009 as Minister of Culture, and from 2009 to 2010 as Minister of Health.
After the Labour Party lost power in 2010, Bernham became one of the main figures in the opposition. In 2015, he ran for the leadership of the Labour Party but lost the internal party election to Jeremy Corbyn.
In 2017, Bernham left parliament and was elected mayor of Manchester, successfully retaining his post in the 2021 and 2024 mayoral elections.
One of the most notable projects during Bernham’s tenure as mayor was the reconstruction of the public transportation system. He initiated the integration of bus and tram lines in Manchester into a unified "Bee Network." He also took steps to reduce homelessness, expand social housing programs, and strengthen local self-government.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Bernham openly confronted the central government, demanding more financial support for the northern regions of the country. This stance increased his popularity so much that the British media began calling Andrew Bernham the "King of the North."
Bernham's political views in recent years have become known as "Manchesterism." This approach is based on the ideas of transferring authority from the capital London to the regions, expanding local communities' capabilities, and distributing economic development more evenly across the country. Bernham presents himself as a politician open to business and committed to social justice.
In his opinion, most of Britain’s problems stem from an overly centralized management system. Therefore, Bernham calls for giving more extensive powers to the regions in the fields of transportation, housing construction, education, and communal services.
Returning to parliament in June 2026 from the Makerfield district, Bernham is now considered not only a regional politician but one of the main figures in national politics. According to many observers, Bernham will be the winner in the race for the leadership of the Labour Party and the prime minister position after Keir Starmer. According to information, a significant number of the party’s deputies look to Bernham as the hope of the Labour Party.
Nonetheless, Bernham faces a serious challenge. The slow pace of growth in the British economy, the high level of state debt, and the voters' declining trust in the ruling party are considered the main problems facing the future government.
Currently, the main question in British politics is: Will Andrew Bernham be able to succeed Keir Starmer?
Keir Starmer, born in 1962, has been the leader of the Labour Party since April 4, 2020. On July 4, 2024, the Labour Party won the election to the House of Commons, and on July 5, Keir Starmer took office as prime minister.
In Great Britain, which unites England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the monarch is considered the head of state. Currently, King Charles III reigns. The government is formed based on the results of the election to the House of Commons.
In the 650-seat House of Commons, the Labour Party holds 403 seats, the main opposition Conservative Party has 117, and the Liberal Democrat Party holds 71 seats. Many other political forces and independent individuals are also represented in parliament.
Toğrul Ali,
Medianews.az