The race to become the next Labour leader officially begins today following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.
Labour MPs hoping to replace him must first secure the support of at least 20% of their parliamentary colleagues. Based on the party’s current numbers, that means gaining nominations from 81 MPs.
Candidates must submit their nomination forms to the Parliamentary Labour Party office at Westminster before nominations close at 6pm on Wednesday 15 July.
Before that deadline, Labour MPs will hold a hustings at 8pm on Monday 13 July. The event will give prospective candidates the chance to present their case before MPs decide who to nominate.
Once nominations close, any candidate who has secured the backing of at least 81 MPs must then win support from at least three Labour-affiliated organisations. Two of those organisations must be trade unions. They have until 6pm on Thursday 16 July to meet that requirement.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is widely expected to be the only candidate in the contest.
If he is the sole nominee, Labour will hold a special conference on Friday 17 July to formally confirm him as the party’s new leader. He would then become prime minister on Monday 20 July.
If more than one candidate enters the race, the process becomes more competitive.
Any candidate who fails to secure enough nominations from Labour’s affiliated organisations will need the backing of at least 5% of Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) by Friday 31 July to remain in the contest.
However, if all remaining candidates meet the affiliate nomination threshold, the leadership race will move directly to a vote of Labour members and affiliated supporters.
Voting would begin on Thursday 6 August and remain open until Thursday 27 August. Labour is scheduled to announce the result on Saturday 29 August.
