ANDY Burnham is now set to be elected uncontested as the leader of the Labour party, and the UK's Prime Minister.
It comes as Al Carns, the former armed forces minister, announced he will not challenge Burnham.
He told Sky News: “The time right now is not for a contest.”
READ MORE: Who is Count Binface? Meet the man planning to run against Nigel Farage
Carns resigned from his post in Keir Starmer's government over his plans for defence funding. John Healey also resigned as defence secretary, with both stating that Starmer's plans fell short of what was needed.
Burnham won the recent Makerfield by-election, returning to Westminster with the ambition of ousting Starmer from his leadership position.
Though nominations for the leadership contest open on Thursday and prospective candidates technically have time to get the necessary 81 MP backers, Carns was thought to be the last viable challenger who was considering whether to put himself forward.
Wes Streeting, Starmer's former health secretary, was previously the highest profile challenger for the position, but failed to trigger a contest before Burnham returned to Wesminster and has since backed down, backing the former Manchester mayor.
In the absence of any other candidates, Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on July 17. He is expected to become prime minister on July 20.
READ MORE: Speaker cuts off Scottish Labour MP for failing to ask question at PMQs
The Makerfield MP will still take part in an online hustings with Labour MPs on Monday evening, even if he is the only one in the running. He recently hosted a Reddit questionnaire, answering 23 questions from members of the public – and one from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch – but has continued to largely avoid the media.
When asled by Sky News about contesting Burnham's bid, Carns said it is “probably not the best use of Labour’s time”.
“So, my view would be we need to get on board. Andy’s done a good job with Manchester, he’s done a great job during Covid, he’s seen the Manchester Arena attack and dealt with that very effectively, and the economic trajectory of Manchester’s in a positive way.
“If we can do that at the local, the regional level, and the national level, I think that’s hitting the right place.”