LONDON (AP) - Andy Burnham, the recently elected member of Parliament and probable next prime minister, held talks with Labour colleagues on Tuesday ahead of a leadership vote where he might stand unopposed.

Burnham stands as the clear favorite to succeed Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who revealed on Monday his plan to resign within weeks following a tenure marked by errors and declining support both inside the party and among voters.

Burnham, who previously served in the Cabinet and has been mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, secured a parliamentary seat last week specifically to mount a challenge against Starmer.

His position strengthened considerably on Monday after former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, viewed as his primary competitor, declared his backing.

Under the British system, the ruling party can replace its leader and therefore the prime minister without calling a general election. The following national vote is not required until 2029.

Leadership nominations open July 9 and close seven days later. Should Burnham face no opposition, he could assume the role of prime minister by July 17. A contested race would see the winner installed by the time Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess on Sept. 1.

Burnham's economic vision remains unclear

Burnham earned popularity as mayor of Greater Manchester by guiding swift renewal in the northern English city that birthed the Industrial Revolution. He has vowed to apply his distinctive approach of Manchesterism across the entire country.

Numerous Labour supporters believe his interpersonal abilities and appeal will resonate better with the public than the reserved style of Starmer.

Nevertheless, Burnham's positions on key issues lack detail and have not faced testing. Some lawmakers in the party seek a full contest that would allow open discussion and examination of his ideas.

He plans to deliver a speech next week that will sketch out aspects of his economic strategy.

Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who resigned this month over concerns about defense funding, stated that a focused debate is needed on the nation's future direction.

Carns has indicated possible interest in running but informed ITV he is not prepared to decide at this stage.

Some have floated the name of Darren Jones, a senior minister aligned with Starmer, though Jones has offered no response so far.

Aspiring candidates must secure backing from at least 81 Labour members of Parliament, representing one fifth of the parliamentary group.

Many contend that a leadership battle would only highlight internal rifts and prolong uncertainty.

Starmer informed his Cabinet on Tuesday of his intent to facilitate a smooth handover. He expressed a desire for an orderly process and success for his successor, according to his office.

Although Starmer aims to maintain routine operations, he cannot introduce significant new policies or spending plans in his remaining time.

Starmer achieved a landslide yet faltered while governing

Starmer stepped down on Monday following a weekend of reflection, conceding that the party no longer views him as the strongest choice to lead into the next election.

He became the sixth prime minister in ten years to announce his departure from outside No. 10 Downing Street. This occurs as Britain marks a decade since its vote to exit the European Union, a choice that continues to affect the economy and political landscape.

After repeatedly stating he would defend his position, Starmer yielded to mounting calls to pass leadership to someone who might restore the government's standing. He guided Labour to a decisive win in July 2024, yet both his and the party's support have sharply declined since.

Starmer has found it difficult to achieve promised growth, restore strained public services, and ease living costs. His efforts have been hindered by several misjudgments, such as naming Peter Mandelson, a figure linked to past controversies and Jeffrey Epstein, as ambassador to the United States.

Labour is losing moderate supporters to the expanding Green Party while confronting the rise of Reform UK, the anti-immigration group led by Nigel Farage that now tops national polls.