Calls For Starmer To Set Exit Timetable Increase After Burnham Win

Keir Starmer is allegedly facing growing pressure from his own cabinet to set out an “orderly transition” of power to his greatest rival Andy Burnham.

Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election in the early hours of Friday has paved the way for the soon-to-be-former Greater Manchester mayor to challenge the prime minister.

The new MP comfortably saw off the electoral threat from Reform UK and secured a majority of 9,000 votes, fuelling hope that he could revive Labour’s poor performance in the polls if he got into No.10.

Asked if he would stand in any possible leadership election on Friday morning after Burnham’s victory, Starmer insisted “there isn’t one at the moment” and that holding one would send “the country into chaos”.

But he added: “If there is a contest, then yes I will run, I will stand, and I’ve said repeatedly I’m not going to walk away from that.”

Pressure from his own cabinet ministers continues to grow, however, according to reports.

The Times, The Independent and The Guardian report that several frontbenchers have joined home secretary Shabana Mahmood and energy secretary Ed Miliband in calling on Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure.

The newspapers say that multiple cabinet members will tell Starmer his “time is up” and encourage him to set out a timetable for an “orderly transition” of power.

Approximately 100 Labour MPs have publicly urged Starmer to step down in the six weeks since the party’s horrific performance in the May elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

Two Labour grandees, David Blunkett and Harriet Harman, have also called for the PM to set out a timetable preparing for new leadership.

Leader of the National Education Union, Daniel Kebede, also told Times Radio he wants Labour to “crack on” with a “quick transition” of power.

He added: “Andy becoming the leader of the Labour party is an inevitability from this point.”

Burnham’s allies are hoping the newly minted MP could avoid having to trigger a contest himself if Starmer goes of his own accord, removing the need for a potentially fractious leadership race.

But, if the prime minister refuses to step aside, he will automatically be put on the ballot of a leadership race.

Labour Party rules state only an MP with the support of 81 other MPs can fire the starting gun on a leadership challenge.

The incumbent leader does not need any nominations to stand again.

Burnham is said to have the numbers to fire the starting gun on a challenge.

Nearly half (44%) of all voters think Burnham should now challenge Starmer for the leadership role, according to snap polling from YouGov.

But voters were divided on whether the PM should fight for his job, with 36% saying he should stand in any contest while 38% think he should step aside.

Downing Street refused to comment on private conversations when approached by HuffPost UK.

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