STORY
Labour MPs are considering whether to mount a leadership challenge to Andy Burnham as the party prepares for a change of prime minister following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation announcement. Nick Thomas-Symonds, a Cabinet Office minister and long standing ally of Starmer, said there should be a swift transition rather than a drawn out contest, arguing that the interests of the country should be the main consideration.
Al Carns, a former defence minister, and Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, had not ruled out leadership bids. Some MPs were said to be concerned that Burnham could enter Downing Street without having his policy platform subjected to scrutiny by the parliamentary party or the wider membership.
Burnham was sworn in as MP for Makerfield on Monday after winning the by-election last week. If no other Labour MP secures enough support to stand against him, reports suggested he could become prime minister by 17 July, with Starmer remaining in office during the leadership process.