Two senior Labour MPs are reportedly mulling launching leadership bids to prevent Andy Burnham from walking straight into No 10.
Former defence minister Al Carns has said he is considering running, while the BBC reports that Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones has not ruled out the possibility.
A number of MPs are uncomfortable with the thought that Mr Burnham will secure the top job in Westminster, without his policies facing any scrutiny.
If no Labour MP runs against him, it is likely he will be prime minister by 17 July.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer laid out his resignation plan in an address outside Number 10 on Monday, setting 9 July as the start date for the process to find his successor.
Mr Burnham returns to parliament following his victory in Thursday’s by-election in Makerfield, having secured a decisive majority over Reform.
Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Read MoreWhy did Starmer resign? These are the key moments of his chaotic two years as prime minister
From welfare cuts to digital ID: Every Labour U-turn over past two years as Starmer resigns
Andy Burnham: The ‘King of the North’ who could be the next prime minister
Key Points
- Labour MPs consider leadership challenge to stop Burnham coronation
- Trump repeats claims Starmer 'is no Churchill'
- What have other party leaders said about Starmer's resignation?
- A timeline of Monday's events as Starmer steps down and Burnham is sworn in
- Andy Burnham sworn in as Makerfield MP before photograph with Labour colleagues
- Watch: Burnham says calls for general election 'jumping too far ahead' as he arrives in London
Ed Davet says he doesn't support calls for a general election
07:37 , Holly EvansLiberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has said that he doesn't support calls for a general election, as he calls for greater stability.
"I think actually people want to give the new prime minister a chance," he said.
"People will be impatient for change."
Mr Davey added that who ever becomes the new prime minister "has got a very short window where people will give him a chance".
The Lib Dem leader explains: "If he fails, and he for example doesn't follow what we've been saying on Europe or social care or defence, I think people will then demand a general election."
Labour MPs consider leadership challenge to stop Burnham coronation
07:20 , Holly EvansAt least two senior Labour MPs are considering putting their names forward in a leadership contest, to prevent a straight coronation of Andy Burnham, the BBC has reported.
Former defence minister Al Carns is still debating whether to run, while Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones is also yet to decide whether to put his name in hat.
A number of ministers are increasingly uncomfortable with the prospect of the former Greater Manchester mayor becoming prime minister when his policies are yet to be tested by his party.
It is looking likely that Mr Burnham could in No10 as early as 17 July, the day after nominations for the top job close.
Nominations for prime minister open on 9 July and send by the summer recess of 16 July, with candidates needing to gain the support of at least 81 MPs each.
Starmer announces resignation as Burnham awaits ‘coronation’ to become prime minister
07:00 , Bryony Gooch
Emotional Starmer quits as Burnham arrives in Commons to become PM
Recap: Burnham warns against 'jumping several hurdles ahead' with calls for a general election
06:00 , Bryony GoochAndy Burnham said it would be “jumping several hurdles ahead” to call a general election should he become the next prime minister following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.
As he arrived in London on Monday afternoon, Mr Burnham was asked about comments he made when Rishi Sunak became prime minister, when he called for a general election.
Asked if he would now call an election, the new Labour MP for Makerfield said: “You’re jumping several hurdles ahead there.”
The former mayor of Greater Manchester added that his “priority” for the day was to officially swear in as an MP, adding: “It’s been very kind of sad for me today to leave Greater Manchester. The people have been brilliant to me over the last few years. I’ve loved every minute of the role. I hope I leave Manchester in a better place.”
Why Starmer’s speech struck a chord with an ex-No 10 adviser
05:00 , Bryony Gooch
Why Starmer’s resignation speech struck a chord with an ex-No 10 adviser
Recap in pictures: The moment Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation
04:00 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Starmer resigns as prime minister - what next for the UK?
03:00 , Bryony GoochWhat would Andy Burnham as prime minister mean for Britain?
02:03 , Bryony Gooch
What would Andy Burnham’s policies be if he becomes prime minister?
Poll: Brits think Starmer was right to resign
01:00 , Bryony GoochMost Britons say it was right for Keir Starmer to resign (62 per cent), while only 19 per cent think he was wrong to do so, according to a YouGov snap poll.
Even among 2024 Labour voters – who voted to put Keir Starmer in Downing Street two years ago – the tendency is likewise to think it is right for him to stand aside (52 per cent) than to remain (28 per cent).
Watch: Trump and other world leaders react after Starmer announces resignation
Tuesday 23 June 2026 00:32 , Bryony GoochForget Keir’s teary goodbye – it’s Victoria Starmer I feel sorry for
Tuesday 23 June 2026 00:01 , Bryony Gooch
Forget Keir’s teary goodbye – it’s Victoria Starmer I feel sorry for now
In pictures: Tomorrow's papers splashed with Burnham's plans for power as Starmer resigns
Monday 22 June 2026 23:30 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Burnham has the right 'vision, ideas and priorities', says Streeting
Monday 22 June 2026 22:00 , Bryony GoochTrump repeats claims Starmer 'is no Churchill'
Monday 22 June 2026 21:35 , Bryony GoochDonald Trump has repeated claims that Sir Keir Starmer was no Winston Churchill as he criticised the British prime minister.
“This was not Winston Churchill,” he said in reference to Sir Keir Starmer’s reticence to support the US conflict in Iran.
“Starmer wasn't there, and you know what? The people of the UK did not like it that he wasn't there. Starmer said no. Starmer said worse than no. He said we'll be there as soon as you win.”
Starmer's wife thanks Downing Street staff at drinks
Monday 22 June 2026 21:30 , Bryony GoochLady Starmer thanked Downing Street staff at drinks in the No 10 garden on Monday evening, telling them she was “personally really grateful” for their support.
Sir Keir Starmer’s wife Victoria said: “I just wanted to say thank you from me.
“I obviously love Keir and support him as much as I can, but there’s only so much I could do, and it’s you guys who gave that support day in, day out, and I am personally really grateful for that. So, thank you all.”
Trump criticises Starmer's record on energy as he exits role as prime minister
Monday 22 June 2026 21:28 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump has criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s record over energy as he steps down as Labour party leader and highlights timeline to exit role as prime minister.
“I think he's a lovely man, but I said ‘you're really messing up energy. You have windmills all over the place. In the meantime, you have the North Sea oil, and they won't let anybody drill to one of the great fields in the world,’” he said.
He went so far as to call Sir Keir “sort of a friend of mine,” but caveated “he was not good to us with NATO.”
“I wish him well, but he's got two problems: energy and immigration and crime, but energy and immigration, you know he's really hurt himself very badly.”
The hospital scandal that could come back to haunt Andy Burnham
Monday 22 June 2026 21:00 , Bryony Gooch
The hospital scandal that could come back to haunt Andy Burnham
Harriet Harman suggests Ed Miliband could be chancellor, if Burnham enters No10
Monday 22 June 2026 20:44 , Rebecca WhittakerMember of the House of Lords, Harriet Harman, suggested Ed Miliband could become the next chancellor if Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
Speaking to Sky News’ Cathy Newman she said: "Well, I don't think it couldn't be Ed Miliband actually.”
"I'm going to support whoever happens to be the chancellor.
"And it shouldn't, you know, we should not be ruling out Ed Miliband.
"I think he's a great talent, he's very economically literate, he's very intelligent and very committed and very experienced.”
.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
