Andy Burnham is sworn in as the Labour MP for Makerfield at the House of Commons on Monday, 22 June. Multiple outlets report that when his name is announced, Labour MPs greet him with cheers as he enters the chamber to be administered the oath. The BBC and Bloomberg describe the moment of the swearing-in, with attention on the reaction from MPs as he takes his seat.
The HuffPost UK also notes that, alongside the Labour applause, some opposition MPs offer good-natured teasing and remarks during the ceremony. After signing the required paperwork, Burnham shakes hands with the Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, before leaving the chamber, as captured by the coverage.
Several sources frame the swearing-in in the context of Burnham’s political position within Labour. He has recently won the Makerfield by-election, and he is widely expected to enter the party’s leadership contest following Keir Starmer’s resignation as leader and prime minister. The outlets also note that Burnham is the only declared entrant so far, after other MPs including Wes Streeting reportedly withdraw from the race and back him.
