Keir Starmer has begun handing over the reins in earnest, sitting down face to face with Andy Burnham as he promised a “smooth transition” after announcing his resignation.
The UK Prime Minister met the man widely expected to succeed him in No 10 for the first time since the former Greater Manchester mayor won the Makerfield by-election, holding an hour-long “off-site” discussion.
Mr Burnham is also set to begin receiving Government briefings ahead of a possible move into power, after Mr Starmer authorised civil service access talks to start for “prospective candidates” in the Labour leadership race.
At a weekly meeting this morning, the prime minister told his cabinet he wanted an “orderly transition” and said he would try to make the handover “as easy as possible” for whoever follows him.
Downing Street said the Government would avoid “major” new policy decisions or spending promises in the coming weeks, adding that Mr Starmer would agree priorities with Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo in the days ahead.
One significant piece of unfinished business remains, however: the defence investment plan (Dip), which has been held up by internal disputes over how it should be funded. Mr Starmer has signalled he still intends to tie it up before leaving office, after promising weeks ago to finalise it by early July.
His intention to publish the document before the Nato summit on 7 July could become a flashpoint, with The Times reporting that allies of Mr Burnham think the decision should be left to the next leader.
An ally of former defence secretary John Healey, who resigned over the Dip earlier this month, also cautioned against releasing a “half-baked” plan before a new prime minister is in place.
When asked whether the transition risked slowing Whitehall to a standstill, Mr Starmer’s official spokesman said the “normal business of Government continues”.
“The PM wants a smooth transition, he wants to make sure that the process is as efficient and effective as possible,” the spokesman said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pictured announcing his resignation outside Downing Street
Mr Burnham, meanwhile, is preparing to lay out the early pillars of his pitch, with a speech next week expected to include a pledge to prioritise economic growth and a commitment to Labour’s existing fiscal rules.
Fresh from his by-election victory in Makerfield, he is widely viewed as a prime minister-in-waiting — a perception strengthened after his main rival, former health secretary Wes Streeting, backed him to replace Mr Starmer, who announced his resignation yesterday.
Momentum behind any potential bid by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones also appeared to ebb today. Sources close to the minister said he was highly unlikely to stand.
Mr Jones, a key Starmer ally, is understood to want assurances about Mr Burnham’s economic approach amid worries in some quarters about possible market unease, but allies said he was not inclined to run against him.
Elsewhere, former armed forces minister and Royal Marines officer Al Carns told journalists he had not ruled out putting his name forward in a contest.
He said Mr Burnham would “listen” to the Parliamentary Labour Party and “he’ll take advice on policy ideas, and hopefully he’ll be able to drive them forward at a pace and with the boldness and courageousness that is required to keep that social cohesion and make us successful in the 2029 general election”.
But he added: “A vision without a plan is a dream and if you don’t have it, it can turn into a nightmare pretty quickly.”
Pressed on whether he would mount a leadership bid of his own, Mr Carns said: “A decision is often based on multiple factors. I just need to see and buy into that vision and that policy and then we’ll see where we go from there.”
Starmer ally and Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds called for a rapid transition and indicated a contest may not serve the country’s interests, telling broadcasters this morning that he believed the changeover should be swift.
Andy Burnham takes a selfie with the Parliamentary Labour Party after his swearing in ceremony
Mr Burnham, who returned to the Commons only yesterday as the new MP for Makerfield, could be in Downing Street within weeks if no challenger steps forward.
Discussions are also said to be under way over who would serve in his Cabinet. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood are both being tipped as possible contenders to replace Rachel Reeves as Chancellor.
Any incoming Chancellor would be expected to stick to the framework Ms Reeves put in place, designed to limit borrowing and ensure day-to-day spending is covered by tax revenues by the end of the decade.
However, allies of Mr Burnham stressed that, as of Monday evening, no positions had been allocated and no agreements struck.
If he is the only candidate to secure the backing required to enter the race for Labour’s vacant leadership, he could become prime minister as early as 17 July.
Larry the cat has lived at No 10 since 2011 and the next prime minister will be the seventh in his time
Later today, Labour confirmed Manchester City council leader Bev Craig as its candidate to succeed Mr Burnham as metro mayor, after the post was automatically vacated when he was elected to Parliament.
Councillor Geraldine Coggins will stand for the Greens in the contest, which is scheduled for July 30.
Mr Starmer said he would ask Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to publish a timetable that would put a new leader in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer recess on 1 September, should a contest be triggered.
Even so, Mr Burnham could find himself the sole contender once nominations close on 16 July.
Prospective candidates have until then to secure the backing of at least 81 Labour MPs.
