From “King of the North” to Prime Minister of Britain?

He will be sworn into the House of Commons on Monday, and it is at that point where he becomes eligible to seek nomination for the leadership of the Labour Party. His supporters are confident that they have the numbers to get the necessary 81 nominations from MPs and the required number from local parties and trade unions.

Even those in the Labour Party who do not support Andy Burnham cannot see any alternative candidate, other than Wes Streeting, getting sufficient nominations to challenge the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

It has been suggested that the most peaceful transition of leadership would be for a deal to be done between Burnham and Starmer to allow for a coronation. Some are concerned that a full-blooded leadership contest would damage the Labour Party further. Electors do not like divided parties, as the Conservatives found to their cost in the last General Election. Many in the Labour Party would be very much against it.

There is another school of thought that says the party should have an open contest so that there can be a national debate about the way to lead the country.

Then there is another possible scenario. Keir Starmer has made it clear he is staying. He still has plenty of support within the Parliamentary Party. Many who support him do so because they fear the alternatives. Some of his Cabinet members and ministers could lose their jobs, so it would not be in their interests to see change.

Already there is some manoeuvring among some of the party grandees to make it a contest just for the Parliamentary Labour Party. However, the scale of Andy Burnham’s victory will make this very difficult to achieve.

To be seen to be achieving, Andy Burnham will have to ruthlessly prioritise his policies. He has shown in the past, just as he has in the by-election, that he can be both radical and pragmatic at the same time. He has supported many causes, for example the WASPI women, but has backed off many of their demands.

He agrees with John Healey in calling for increased funding for the defence budget, supports cutting benefits through a new welfare-to-work policy, and backs keeping the pensions triple lock, although many argue it is now unsustainable in the medium to long term. He is in favour of nationalising utilities such as water. He has also spoken out in favour of 50% affordable housing on developments.

As for the rest of his vision and how he plans to deliver it, there are still many unknowns. How can he grow the economy? Will he increase taxes? Where can he make savings, and quickly? What are the quick wins he can achieve as Prime Minister that set him apart from Keir Starmer?

Perhaps making savings by slowing up Labour’s green agenda, as the need to create jobs and meet the UK’s fuel needs to help regenerate the economy, may mean taking decisions not supported by the current Energy Secretary.

Who would be his Chancellor? Ed Miliband has been suggested by many, and he is very popular among party members. It is understood that he wants that job. Many in the Parliamentary Party, and even some of Andy Burnham’s supporters, are not sure. There are fears among the public and the markets that his appointment could have a negative impact on the UK’s economy.

Rachel Reeves is seen as a safe pair of hands but criticised by many over the handling of the Winter Fuel Allowance, Employers’ National Insurance, and alleged inflexibility on defence spending at the expense of welfare.

Burnham needs a Chancellor who shares his vision but can also demonstrate a firm grip on the UK’s economy. There is speculation that it could be the current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, but it is understood that she wants to remain as Home Secretary.

Who else would join his Cabinet and Government? There is every likelihood that Angela Rayner, Louise Haigh and the party’s Deputy Leader, Lucy Powell, would rejoin the Government. There would certainly be no shortage of MPs who would want to serve in a Burnham-led Government.

It would also inevitably mean casualties too, and could see senior Cabinet members leaving the Government, particularly those who have remained loyal to Keir Starmer through thick and thin.

Andy Burnham is a big supporter of building new homes, particularly social housing. Would he keep Steve Reed as Housing Secretary, and would he keep to the housing targets set in Labour’s manifesto? It is worth noting that Steve Reed, put forward for breakfast-time interviews after the Makerfield victory, was refusing to comment on a leadership challenge, saying he was not aware that one had been launched.

Key to any appointments will be Andy’s Chief of Staff, Kevin Lee, who has been at his side for 15 years. Also important is Anneliese Midgley, MP for Knowsley. Anneliese previously worked for Ken Livingstone, Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer, and is a former Political Director of the Unite trade union.

So will Andy Burnham fill his Cabinet with those who have been loyal and share his vision, or will he portray himself as the unifying Prime Minister by following Gordon Brown’s example of forming a government of all the talents?

He could even take a leaf out of another famous North West MP who campaigned to become Labour leader on a left-wing ticket but then filled his Cabinet with MPs from the right, many of whom did not support him in the first place. Wilson said: “Keep your friends close… keep your enemies closer.”

And will Andy seek a mandate from the people? We will wait to see what he does next.