Burnham WILL be crowned PM on Monday after passing 323 nominations from MPs – as he ‘plots Autumn mega-Budget’ with fears Brits face another tax nightmare

Andy Burnham has a mathematical certainty of being crowned Labor leader after beating 323 MP nominations.

Backbencher Mike Reader revealed this morning that he had also contributed to the wave of support for Mr Burnham.

In addition to the 322 who officially support the former Mayor of Manchester, this means no other challengers can enter the contest. They need 81 candidates and there are only 403 Labor MPs.

In reality, Mr Burnham’s appointment had already been finalized because Keir Starmer had said he would not support anyone. He will officially become party leader on Friday and take over from Keir Starmer on Monday.

But there are still widespread concerns about the lack of clarity about what Mr Burnham will do with his new power, which he has gained without the approval of Labor Party members, let alone the public.

He is said to be planning a ‘mega Budget’ in the autumn, combining a massive fiscal package with a full spending review.

Fears are rising about a new tax raid focused on the ‘rich’ South; allies are putting forward proposals such as land tax, a revaluation of council tax and an increased mansion tax to finance splurges on council housing and public control of public services.

Backbencher Mike Reader revealed he had contributed to the wave of support for Mr Burnham this morning

Mr Burnham, who will meet with MPs behind closed doors tonight, did not detail any tax or spending plans beyond a pledge to stick to the Labor manifesto and increase devolution.

Despite his colleagues’ frantic rush to swear loyalty, the former Cabinet minister has almost no mandate from the public.

He did not stand in for Labour’s winning bid in 2024, and the 25,000 voters who backed him in the Makerfield by-election represent just 0.05 per cent of the British electorate.

Ministers and MPs are frantically competing for positions in the new administration; Ed Miliband hopes to become chancellor despite some concerns about his ‘Soviet’ views.

Labour’s new figures have been very prominent, including the idea of ​​David Miliband returning as Foreign Secretary. Another former Cabinet minister, James Purnell, will be the No. 10 chief of staff.

Mr Burnham will be officially named Labor leader at a special conference on July 17 and is expected to become prime minister on July 20.

Once MPs determine their candidacy, they cannot change it unless the candidate withdraws.

Former armed forces minister Al Carns was the latest potential challenger to opt out last week, saying ‘months of internal Labor politics are not what the country needs right now’.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir is making the most of his final week in office by heading to France.

The prime minister, dubbed ‘Never here Keir’ by critics of his globetrotting, will attend the ‘Coalition of Volunteers’ meeting in Paris and is also expected to attend Bastille Day events tomorrow.