Starmer-Burnham latest: PM reportedly ‘resigned’ to stepping down as over 100 MPs call for him to quit

Labour MPs are being called to give their support to the former Greater Manchester mayor, while it is understood that approaches have been made to former health secretary Wes Streeting, urging him to strike a deal and not try to force a contest.

There is speculation that Mr Streeting could be named as chancellor if he agrees not to run against Mr Burnham – allowing the former mayor to take over from Sir Keir in September when parliament returns after the summer recess.

This came with speculation that Rachel Reeves would be sacked as chancellor by Mr Burnham who is seeking a new approach to economic policy.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

Sir Keir Starmer is facing “a hard deadline” of Tuesday morning’s cabinet meeting to step down, insiders say, after a senior Labour peer said the prime minister had “absolutely no authority” and should go.

As the Labour leader spent the weekend taking soundings from ministers and MPs, Downing Street denied reports on Saturday night that he is preparing to set a timetable for his departure as early as Monday.

A spokesperson pointed to his words of defiance on Friday when he insisted he would fight a challenge.

However, The Independent has learnt that allies of Andy Burnham are plotting to ensure he is installed as Labour leader quickly, in a coronation rather than a contest.

Starmer has publicly vowed to stay in post, but pressure is building as more and more Labour Party colleagues conclude his time is up. Expectation is growing that he will announce a timetable for his resignation as soon as Monday. That’s the day Burnham will be sworn in as a lawmaker in the House of Commons after winning a special election last week.

Starmer is spending the weekend at Chequers, the country mansion used by British prime ministers, with his family.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

Tory shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has suggested that Andy Burnham as prime minister could spark chaos in the financial markets.

With speculation he could tear up spending rules under pressure from the trade unions after saying he wants to reverse 40 years of liberal “trickle down” economics, there are fears he will undo the stability created by chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Soir Mel said: “The markets are watching. And I think Andy Burnham taking over would be bad and in the wrong direction.”

He added that Mr Burnham has “flip-flopped all over the place” during the by-election.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

Former home office minister Jess Phillips has told Laura Kuenssberg that “this is it” for Sir Keir Starmer and said he needs to “resign with dignity.”

But fellow Labour MP Toby Perkins told the show that “there is no need for a contest” adding that “all the indicators are going the right way.”

Luke Charters, a Burnham ally insisted that Makerfield was an important moment in political history and it is “right that the prime minister spends the weekend to reflect.”

Sir Keir Starmer has issued a Father’s Day message on Sunday in his first words to the public since over 100 MPs called for his resignation.

“Being a dad is my greatest joy,” he wrote in a post on social media along with a picture of himself with his late father. “Today, I’m thinking about my dad, and the father I am to my children because of him. Happy Father’s Day.”

Amid claims by Reform UK sources that the party is having an autopsy after the disastrous Makerfield by-election last week it has declined opportunities to appear on the Sunday morning political shows.

Despite invitations to join BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg and Sky News’ Sir Trevor Philips nobody from Reform has been put up.

The party is even boycotting Camilla Tominey on GB News, the one channel which has been seen as more friendly to them.

It comes as board member and former director communications Gawain Towler has written for the Telegraph claiming that the party has “a woman problem” under Nigel Farage’s “blokish” leadership.

There are also claims that Mr Farage wants to sideline home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf whose “mass deportation” rhetoric has turned off voters.

The Business Secretary said he had not spoken to the Prime Minister since Friday, when he had a “frank conversation” with him.

Peter Kyle said Sir Keir Starmer’s mindset was “calm” during the “lengthy conversation” and he talked about the interest of the country.

“As well as working really hard over this weekend, I think he is making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges, and opportunities that he finds himself in.

“I think that is what people would expect him to be doing at this moment in time,” he told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.

Asked if it was time for Sir Keir Starmer to relinquish office, he said: “I had a very frank conversation with the Prime Minister about all these issues and much more on Friday.

“My priority when I think what my role is in putting the country first is to uphold the authority of this government, to make sure that we can govern through a moment of political challenge, and that we are 100% focused on delivering.”