Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has backed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to become the next Labour leader and Prime Minister following Keir Starmer's resignation.
Waugh said Burnham had his "full support" and pointed to his record in Greater Manchester and Rochdale.
The comments came after Keir Starmer announced he was stepping down as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
Speaking to Roch Valley Radio, Paul Waugh praised Starmer's resignation speech and said Labour now needed new leadership to build on the change promised to voters at the 2024 General Election.
Mr Waugh said, “Andy Burnham has my full support to be Prime Minister. The people of Rochdale know how much he has improved our buses, funded the police and fire services and invested real money in local projects to boost business and manufacturing.
“Keir Starmer’s resignation speech was typically dignified, but he himself accepted that it was now time for someone new to accelerate the change that we promised voters in 2024. The Makerfield by election showed how we can recapture a sense of hope for the future, uniting people rather than dividing them.
"Andy Burnham has shown that he is the right person to take on the populism and division promoted by our political opponents. Having worked closely with him over the past few years, I have seen first hand his determination, energy and unwavering commitment to securing the best outcomes for the people of Rochdale.
"I very much hope he is able to secure the leadership of the Labour Party and become Prime Minister at the earliest opportunity."
Separately, Bury North MP James Frith paid tribute to Starmer's leadership and highlighted his role in rebuilding Labour following previous electoral defeats.
Mr Frith said Starmer had "changed our party so that it could once again earn the right to change the country" and described his speech as "gracious and dignified".
He also said Starmer's "greatest achievement was rooting out the stain of antisemitism from our party" and said Labour was "stronger, better and more deserving of public trust because of the action Keir took from day one".
Mr Frith thanked the outgoing Prime Minister for his service to both the party and the country and wished him and his family well for the future.
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