India, June 23 -- Just hours after Keir Starmer made an emotional speech from 10 Downing Street to announce his resignation from the UK Prime Minister's office on Monday, his main opponent, Labour leader Andy Burnham, was officially sworn in as Makerfield's new MP in the House of Commons. He's now also in the running to become the next UK PM, and reports say he could take over as early as July.

Burnham, who previously served as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election by 9,000 votes last week.

Burnham's name has been a key part of the speculation about Starmer's exit, a buzz that had been growing for weeks. After Keir Starmer announced his decision to step down, Labour veteran Burnham confirmed that he would seek ...