The self-styled 'King of the North' is on course for a 'coronation' next month after Keir Starmer dramatically resigned less than two years after his landslide election win.

Labour grandees, including some Cabinet ministers, told the Prime Minister that his time was up following Mr Burnham's thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election.

Some Labour MPs still want former mayor to face the ‘scrutiny’ of ideas through a contested leadership contest