Keir Starmer sensationally announced his resignation as Prime Minister on Monday and it seems Andy Burnham is a shoo-in to become the country’s first Northern-born PM since Harold Wilson in 1976.

After growing speculation over the weekend, the Labour leader stood at the lectern outside 10 Downing Street to tell the assembled media that his two-year stint as PM was over. 

Starmer said he had listened to his party and heard the answer that he was not the right person to lead Labour into the next general election. Meanwhile in Manchester, Burnham was saying goodbye to his former staff before heading to Westminster.

The former Greater Manchester Mayor looks set to become the seventh PM in 10 years following last week’s landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election.

The National Executive Committee of the Labour Party will set out a timetable, with nominations for the leadership opening on 9th July and the process completed before the summer recess. This will mean a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.

Recorded in the immediate aftermath of Starmer’s resignation speech, the Northern Spin podcast – launched to give the North a stronger voice in politics – discussed whether Burnham is ready for No.10.

“Yesterday had it all when it comes to political theatre,” said BusinessCloud executive editor Chris Maguire, who hosts the podcast alongside Frank McKenna, who is chief executive and group chairman of Downtown in Business.

“The day started with Keir Starmer dramatically announcing his resignation as PM in Downing Street and ended with his likely successor, Andy Burnham, heading down to Westminster and being sworn in as the MP for Makerfield.

“It was a no-brainer for Frank and myself to produce a special episode of the Northern Spin podcast.

“In this episode we discuss Starmer’s legacy, Burnham’s route to No.10 and the challenges he’ll inevitably face as PM.

“We also discuss the Makerfield by-election and what defeat means for Reform and its leader Nigel Farage.”

The show – which already has listeners as far afield as the US, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong after relaunching weeks ago – is sponsored by Sancus Lending UK, a real estate lender headquartered in Manchester.

You can listen to the latest episode here or watch below.