Andy Burnham is on course for Number 10 when Labour’s nominations open.

Andy Burnham is set to become Labour’s new leader, with the race open and no other contenders.

Labor MPs can formally approve contenders to replace Sir Keir Starmer from 09.00 BST on Thursday, with the first totals published by Labor at around 19.00 BST.

Burnham will be named the leader of the party at next weekend’s event, with no other candidates joining the former Greater Manchester mayor in the race.

He will become prime minister on July 20, weeks after returning to parliament after a decade-long absence in a by-election in Makersfield.

Former Defense Secretary Al Kearns took himself out of the running Wednesday evening after suggesting he might throw his hat in the ring.

The move paved the way for Burnham to run unopposed, with a succession of rivals including Wes Streeting throwing their weight behind him.

Labour’s rulebook requires candidates to run with the party, including at least two of the 81 Labor MPs, as well as 32 of Labour’s 634 local branches, or three of the 31 socialist unions and trade unions.

Candidates have until Wednesday next week to collect nominations for the Labor MPs they want to take part in.

But the initial run-off, expected at around 19.00 BST, will show overall support for Burnham’s power bid among current Labor MPs.

If he can get 323 nominations, his path to the leadership could be confirmed later, making it mathematically impossible for his rival to reach the 81-MP threshold needed to run against him.

It means it will be pushed to Downing Street without Labor members and associated union supporters getting a vote.