London (AFP) – Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to make the transition of power "as easy as possible", as two Labour lawmakers considered whether to challenge frontrunner Andy Burnham amid concern about a coronation.
Issued on: 23/06/2026 - 16:22
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Starmer, who announced on Monday he was stepping down after losing the support of his own MPs, has authorised so-called access talks with prospective successors to begin "as soon as possible," Downing Street said.The PM, in office for almost two years, told his senior ministerial team during their weekly meeting that he wanted an "orderly" handover and whoever replaces him "to succeed". "The prime minister said he would seek to make the transition as easy as possible, giving his full support to whoever followed in his footsteps," a government readout of the meeting said.Labour veteran Burnham, 56, is the overwhelming favourite to replace Starmer, despite only becoming eligible for the top job after winning a parliamentary by-election last Thursday.The ex-Manchester mayor was clapped and cheered as some 200 Labour MPs welcomed him back to parliament after a nine-year absence for his swearing in on Monday, hours after Starmer tendered his resignation.Starmer's official spokesman told reporters that meetings between Burnham's team and senior civil servants could begin before nominations to become Labour leader open on July 9.Nominations close on July 16 and Burnham could be in 10 Downing Street by the following day if he is unchallenged.UK's 'best interests'Former armed forces minister Al Carns told an event Tuesday that he wanted to hear Burnham's "vision" for the country before deciding whether or not to stand."We'll see where we go from there," he added.UK media reported that government minister Darren Jones was being encouraged to run by some MPs.
