Starmer told to set exit timetable by weekend or face party pressure
15 reported3 unconfirmed
According to a single-source report from The Guardian, cabinet ministers loyal to Prime Minister Keir Starmer have told him he faces being forced out by his party if he does not set a timetable for his departure by the end of the weekend. Andy Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks. One cabinet minister who had not previously told Starmer to go said his departure was now inevitable. Starmer called cabinet members on Friday to express his determination to fight on, but several ministers expressed concerns. Some of Starmer’s allies said he still held agency because Burnham’s supporters want to avoid a damaging leadership contest. A pro-Starmer memo seen by The Guardian outlines attack arguments against Burnham, while some MPs are rallying around Darren Jones as an alternative candidate. Starmer told reporters he would run if there is a contest, warning it would plunge the party into chaos.
What’s reported
Cabinet ministers loyal to Starmer told him he faces being forced out if he does not set a departure timetable by the end of the weekend.
Andy Burnham won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection and is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs.
One cabinet minister who had not previously told Starmer to go said his departure was now inevitable.
One MP believed about 200 Labour MPs were prepared to sign Burnham’s nomination papers for a challenge.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is said by sources to have expressed concerns in a Friday call.
Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood previously suggested Starmer set a timetable for his departure.
Two Labour grandees, David Blunkett and Harriet Harman, also said there should be a timetable for new leadership.
Senior Labour sources said if Starmer did not resign or indicate a transition by the weekend, there would be an intervention at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.
A pro-Starmer memo seen by The Guardian argues Burnham has not faced real scrutiny and his favourability is dropping.
Some MPs are rallying around Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, as an alternative candidate.
Starmer told reporters he would run if there is a contest, warning it would “plunge us into chaos.”
Louise Haigh called for Starmer to set a timetable for his exit to avoid a “brutal and unpleasant” contest.
Wes Streeting has said it is his intention to challenge Starmer; his supporters believe Burnham will become prime minister.
Angela Rayner will not run in any contest where Burnham challenges Starmer.
Starmer’s team has raised more than £100,000 in donations for a leadership campaign.
Open questions
Whether Starmer will set a departure timetable by the end of the weekend.
Whether Burnham and Streeting will reach an agreement on backing.
Whether Darren Jones will enter a leadership contest if Starmer stands down.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Andy Burnham, winner of Makerfield byelection
Heidi Alexander, transport secretary
Ed Miliband, minister
Shabana Mahmood, minister
David Blunkett, Labour grandee
Harriet Harman, Labour grandee
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister
Louise Haigh, former transport secretary
Wes Streeting, former health secretary
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister
Sources: The Guardian
