Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the new leader of Britain's governing Labour Party and is due to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, chair of Labour's ruling national executive committee, was expected to announce Mr Burnham as leader at a special party conference in central London.
Mr Burnham became the sole leadership candidate after being backed by 379 Labour MPs and most trade unions linked to the party earlier in the week. CNN reported that an unassailable majority of Labour's 403 MPs had backed him.
His confirmation follows a rapid return to Westminster. The former Greater Manchester mayor won the Makerfield by-election last month, a result that allowed him to return to Parliament and challenge Sir Keir.
Labour has trailed Reform UK in opinion polls for almost 18 months, according to the BBC. CNN reported that Labour's poor local election results in May were seen inside the party as a warning about the next national vote under Sir Keir.
Mr Burnham is expected to use his first speech as leader to set out a devolution agenda and address voters across the nations and regions of the UK. Detailed policy announcements and cabinet appointments are not expected until Monday, when he takes office. The BBC reported there were live discussions over whether Ms Mahmood could become chancellor.