Updated Jun 24, 2026 – 8.25am, first published at 8.21amLondon | Pledges of an “orderly transition” of power in the UK have lasted little more than 24 hours, with outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his likely successor Andy Burnham at odds over the size and timing of a planned defence funding increase.The row highlights the reality that Britain effectively has two prime ministers with clashing ambitions: Starmer is desperate to avoid being remembered as a lame duck in his final weeks in office, while Burnham needs to quickly make his mark with alternative policies to his predecessor.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Defence spat threatens orderly transition from Starmer to Burnham
The outgoing PM is desperate to avoid being remembered as a lame duck in his final weeks in office, while his likely successor needs to make his mark early.
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