Everything indicates that Andy Burnham, who has built his popularity in the Manchester area, will become the party's next leader and thus also prime minister.
Nominations are open until July 16, but after other tipped candidates have withdrawn, it is expected that only one will remain.
"Months of internal Labour debate are not what the country needs right now. Andy Burnham has earned this and he has my full support," says former Defence Secretary Al Carns.
The announcement that Starmer was resigning came in June, after a long series of setbacks.
Burnham, who was recently elected to parliament, is expected to be announced as the new party leader next week and could then become prime minister after a meeting with King Charles on July 20.
