Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street is now effectively sealed. 322 Labour MPs—four-fifths of the parliamentary party—have publicly nominated him for the leadership, leaving only 81 MPs who have not, a number that coincidentally equals the threshold a rival would need to stand. Barring an act of God, the former Greater Manchester mayor will become Labour leader on 17 July and prime minister three days later.

Background

Burnham takes over at a rare moment of Labour unity....