Andy Burnham is the bookies' favourite to succeed Ed Miliband as Labour leader

The shadow health secretary as built a strong following on the centre-left of the party

Andy Burnham (Getty Images)

Labour MP Andy Burnham is the bookies’ favourite to be the next leader of the Labour party, according to odds released this morning.

The shadow health secretary, who has a strong following on the centre-left of the party, is out in front in the race to replace Ed Miliband, who is expected to resign today.

Mr Burnham is placed ahead of the charismatic shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna, who is at 5/2 with Paddypower as of this morning. Mr Burnham is at 13/8 with the bookies.

He is 5/2 with Ladbrokes while Mr Umunna is 6/1.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is at 4/1 with both bookies.

Another MP in the running is Dan Jarvis, a former paratrooper who serves as MP for the Barnsley Central constituency.

Mr Umunna was associated with Labour’s soft left when he first became MP but he has shifted quickly to the right as its shadow business secretary.

Ms Cooper is often regarded as the candidate representing MPs who were close for the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.