Coronation looms for Burnham as Streeting drops out of leadership race
Rachel Reeves has failed to hide her dismay as Andy Burnham looks to be on course for a 'coronation' as PM.
A glum-looking Chancellor was pushed into the background as a triumphant Mr Burnham posed for a selfie with Labour MPs on his return to Parliament today.
Shortly after being formally sworn in as the MP for Makerfield, following his thumping by-election win last week, Mr Burnham held a photoshoot with his new colleagues.
Ms Reeves was among those Labour MPs to attend the welcome event for Burnham in Parliament's Westminster Hall.
But it is likely to have proved awkward for Reeves amid expectations she will be sacked as Chancellor by Mr Burnham, if – as seems almost certain – he goes on to become PM.
Mr Burnham's allies are said to have concluded that keeping Ms Reeves in charge of the Treasury would not represent a sufficient change in direction from Sir Keir's failed administration.
It has been suggested that Wes Streeting could be named Chancellor by Mr Burnham as part of a deal in which the ex-health secretary would agree not to stand for the Labour leadership himself.
Shortly after Sir Keir announced a timetable for his departure as PM on this morning, Streeting said he would row in behind Burnham's Labour leadership bid.
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham dodged questions on whether he will trigger a snap general election in the likely event he goes on to enter Downing Street.
In other chaotic moves at Westminster today:
- An EU-UK summit on July 22 has been postponed after Sir Keir's announcement of his resignation, despite the date only having been confirmed last week. A Government spokesperson said it would now be held 'at the earliest opportunity';
- A YouGov poll has found that the public thought Sir Keir was right to resign by a margin of 62 per cent to 19 per cent, with another 19 per cent undecided;
- Sir Keir's allies have refused to rule out him quitting as an MP, raising the prospect of a tricky by-election fight in his constituency with the Greens;
- Labour MPs and Nigel Farage have been calling for a general election to be held after the change in PM;
- Sir Keir's successor will be Britain's seventh premier in a decade.
Rachel Reeves, left in pink, looks on as Andy Burnham greets Labour MPs on his return to Parliament
Labour MPs gathered in Westminster Hall for a mass selfie, including an awkward-looking Ms Reeves, who is not expected to survive as Chancellor under Andy Burnham
A glum-looking Chancellor was pushed into the background as a triumphant Mr Burnham met with Labour MPs on his return to Parliament
Burnham took a selfie with his Labour colleagues in Westminster Hall shortly after he was formally sworn in as the new Makerfield MP
Angela Rayner, the former deputy PM, enjoyed the sunshine on the House of Commons terrace during a day of drama at Westminster
Ms Rayner is likely to be hoping for a return to Government under a Mr Burnham premiership
Mr Burnham – who finally donned a suit rather than his trademark T-shirt and jeans – was cheered as he arrived in the Commons
Mr Burnham was grilled by reporters as he arrived at London Euston from Manchester
Mr Burnham was flanked by aides as he headed for Westminster for his official swearing in as an MP
Keir Starmer talked up his achievements in getting Labour elected in a tearful resignation statement outside the famous black door of No10
Hours after Sir Keir's tearful resignation statement, Mr Burnham – who had finally donned a suit rather than his trademark T-shirt and jeans – was cheered as he arrived in the House of Commons to be officially sworn in as an MP.
He took the oath on the Bible, pledging allegiance to the King. And Labour MPs then gathered in Westminster Hall for a mass selfie, including an awkward-looking Ms Reeves – but no Sir Keir.
As he arrived in London earlier today, Mr Burnham was grilled on his previous calls for a general election when Tory PMs were replaced.
Asked if he would stand by the commitment if he replaces Sir Keir, he blustered: 'You're jumping several hurdles ahead there.'
Alan Johnson, the former Labour home secretary, urged Mr Burnham to 'be brave' and call a snap general election if he becomes PM.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'Andy should go to the country. MPs won't like it. It'll be a very bold thing to do.
'It might set a precedent that others in the future will have to follow, but it will help restore trust in politics, and that is Andy's big plus.'
Mr Johnson added, if Mr Burnham doesn't seek his own mandate through a general election, then 'he has got to follow the mandate and the manifesto of Keir Starmer and he's criticised big chunks of that'.
In a moment of political drama this morning, the PM announced his resignation with a speech outside Downing Street.
Mr Streeting then declared he will not seek Labour's top job, throwing his weight behind Mr Burnham instead.
The announcement makes it far more likely that the former Greater Manchester mayor will be in No10 by this time next month.
Mr Streeting had claimed he was able to gain the 81 nominations from Labour MPs needed to force a full contest, but it is far from clear whether other candidates will make the threshold.
Jockeying has been gearing up over who will be in Mr Burnham's Cabinet, as he closes in on taking over from Sir Keir after his dramatic victory in the Makerfield by-election.
The Chancellor role will be critical, with Ms Reeves' lobbying to stay in the job seemingly to have failed. Some in Labour are alarmed that Ed Miliband could get the nod, with his views perceived as 'Soviet'.
Yvette Cooper is seen as another option to be moved from the Foreign Office.
Angela Rayner is also being tipped for a big post, while former Cabinet minister Louise Haigh – who helped run Mr Burnham's Makerfield campaign – will make a comeback.
Mr Streeting said he had 'spoken at length with Andy in recent days', and was convinced he 'is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions and that he can win the fight of our lives against the force of nationalism'.
Calling for a coronation for Mr Burnham, he said: 'We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs.
'That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy too.'
Mr Burnham said: 'Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.
'His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.
'The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.
The moves were made shortly after Sir Keir – who is not thought to have spoken to Mr Burnham for weeks amid bitter tensions – delivered an emotional resignation speech in Downing Street.
The PM talked up his achievements in getting Labour elected – as well as making a series of dubious claims about successes in Government – in a statement outside the famous black door of No10.
But he acknowledged that his time had run out. 'I know the question being asked now is not who is best placed to change the Labour Party... the question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.'
He added: 'I accept that answer with good grace... that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.'
Sir Keir said there would be an 'orderly' process to choose his replacement. He said a successor would be in place before the Commons summer recess on July 16, if there is only one candidate – Mr Burnham. Otherwise, the decision could take until August.
A tearful Sir Keir and his wife, Victoria, on the doorstep of No10 before heading back inside after the PM's resignation speech
Wife Victoria and the couple's son joined close colleagues in Downing Street to watch the PM deliver his resignation
How Starmer finally accepted his time was up in No10
Even after Andy Burnham's landslide victory in Makerfield became clear on Friday morning, Keir Starmer was vowing to fight on.
But by Saturday evening – as he holed up at his Chequers country residence with wife Victoria and close aides – the tone had dramatically changed.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle, a close ally, was dispatched to TV studios on Sunday to say Sir Keir was considering the 'political realities'.
And by this morning it was a question of when and how, not if, the PM would go.
Senior advisers gathered in the State Room at No10 at 9am to be told the news by chief of staff Vidhya Alakeson.
She was said to be 'very emotional but held it together'.
Staff then filed outside, along with a small group of loyal ministers including David Lammy and Darren Jones, to watch Sir Keir deliver his resignation statement.
After a tearful moment outside the back door, Sir Keir and Lady Victoria gathered staff in the Downing Street garden to express their appreciation.
In a second speech behind closed doors, the PM said he believed they had 'changed the country for the better'.
He thanked aides for the 'extraordinary' work they had done – and voiced personal gratitude for the 'kindness' of workers in No10 who had made his children 'feel at home'.
One aide who was present told the Daily Mail: 'He had Vic with him the whole time.'
The aide said the speech made no reference to Mr Burnham or the leadership wrangling, or evidence of bitterness.
'His character is that he's very persuaded by this idea of duty,' they said.
'He's not a 'hasta la vista', to hell with you all type of guy, he's respectful of the role and of everybody. That is his driving force.'
However, Sir Keir became emotional as he paid tribute to the support from his family – saying he would now focus on being the 'best husband' and the 'best dad'.
Wife Victoria and the couple's son joined close colleagues outside No10 to watch him deliver his resignation. Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray, a perennial presence in Westminster, could be heard playing EU anthem Ode To Joy through speakers nearby.
Reform's Nigel Farage immediate joined calls – including from some Labour MPs – for a general election to accompany the change at the top.
The Reform leader said Labour could not simply 'shove' another PM into Downing Street without consulting voters.
Home Office minister Mike Tapp urged a change in the law to guarantee a national election if a premier is forced out by their own party.
Backbencher Mary Glindon said Labour would be 'hypocrites' if one was not triggered.
Many senior figures on the Left – including Mr Burnham and Ms Rayner – previously pushed for an election when the Tories switched leaders in power.
During the Conservative contest to replace Boris Johnson in 2022, Mr Burnham posted on X: 'We need to start demanding a General Election at the end of this Tory leadership election.
'They were all elected on a manifesto promise to level up the North and are all abandoning it.'
On the day Liz Truss resigned that October, Mr Burnham posted: '#GeneralElectionNow.'
The PM returned to Downing Street from Chequers early this morning, after spending the weekend locked in talks with wife Victoria and close aides. He spoke to the King, who is at his Highgrove residence, by phone before making the announcement.
Sir Keir reiterated his defiance on Friday after Mr Burnham stunned the political world by securing a 9,000 majority over Reform in Makerfield.
He insisted he would fight any challenge to his leadership.
But the mood music had dramatically shifted by yesterday, when Business Secretary Peter Kyle – one of Sir Keir's dwindling band of loyalists – was sent to television studios to say the premier was reflecting on his situation.
In his speech this morning, Sir Keir said: 'Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life, a new Labour government, the first in 14 years, a page in our country's history turned after years of disappointment and despair, the chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better, that's what I came into politics for the journey to that point was not easy.
'Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially, and thoroughly bankrupt.
'I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible, but we proved those people wrong, because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with, not against, our national flag.'
Sir Keir insisted that people should 'look at what we've achieved in just two years'.
'An economy that is stronger, going faster than our peers, wages rising faster than inflation in every single month since we came to power,' he said.
'Investment secured, infrastructure being built, an end to austerity with the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years, the biggest improvement in rights for workers and renters in a generation.'
'The biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War.
'Small boat crossings falling, asylum hotels closing, protecting young people from social media and half a million children being lifted out of poverty because of the choices that I made.
'Our reputation in the world restored, with Britain once again standing up for decency, respect and the rule of law, securing trade deals, standing with Ukraine, standing up for our values and rebuilding our relationship with our allies in Europe.
'Change promised by a Labour government. Change fought for by a Labour government. Change delivered by a Labour government.'
His voice cracking, Sir Keir said: 'I want to thank the brilliant Number 10 staff and our country's extraordinary Civil Service who dedicate their lives to public service.
'And when I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.'
The claims of successes raised eyebrows in Westminster, after Defence Secretary John Healey fuelled the crisis earlier this month by quitting and accusing the PM and Rachel Reeves of failing to protect the country.
Growth has also been anaemic, inflation higher than hoped, and taxes are rising to a record high.
Critics say little progress has been made on tackling Channel boats, while Sir Keir's praise for the civil service clashes with his previously jibe that 'too many people in Whitehall are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline'.
Sir Keir was slated to make a statement on the recent G7 summit in the House this afternoon, but his deputy David Lammy has been subbed in.
Wes Streeting declared he will not seek the top job, throwing his weight behind Mr Burnham after Keir Starmer's resignation
How long will Keir hang around for?
7-8 July - A NATO summit in Turkey could be Keir Starmer's final swansong on the world stage.
9 July - Nominations will open for a Labour leadership contest.
16 July - Nominations will close as MPs head off on their six-week summer break. But if only one candidate - such as Andy Burnham - is nominated, will they immediately be crowned as new Labour leader and PM? If there is more than one candidate, a full-scale leadership contest is set to take place with a ballot of party members. During this time, Sir Keir will remain as caretaker PM.
22 July - A UK-EU summit in Brussels will allow Sir Keir to complete his Brexit 'reset' deal, if he's still in place. If not, it will give a new PM the opportunity to meet European leaders for the first time.
1 September - A new Labour leader and PM will definitely be in place in time for MPs returning to Westminster after their summer break, whether there is a full-scale leadership contest or not.
27 to 30 September - Labour's annual gathering in Liverpool will see the first conference speech from the party's new leader.
Baroness Jacqui Smith, seen as being close to Sir Keir, appeared to confirm Sir Keir was on the way out as she toured broadcast studios for the Government this morning.
The education minister used the past tense as she said she 'would have been happy for him to continue' as premier – although she also urged people not to 'get ahead of themselves'.
The baroness, a former home secretary who was elevated to the House of Lords by Mr Starmer two years ago, told Times Radio: 'My understanding from those I've spoken to who are close to the Prime Minister yesterday is that he has spent the weekend thinking very carefully about the future of the country and what is the best thing to do for the British people.
'He has also, of course, been engaged in government — responding to the terrible train crash, speaking to the chief executive of the East Midlands Ambulance Service, and responding to the attack in Edinburgh.
'But he always thinks carefully about the future of this country and the interests of the British people — he puts them ahead of the interests of the party — and he will make his own decisions in light of what everybody can see is a considerable amount of pressure and turbulence.'
Last night, Donald Trump declared Sir Keir 'will resign', pre-empting the announcement from No10.
The US President, who met Sir Keir at last week's G7 summit in France, waded into Labour's leadership crisis.
'Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,' he posted on his TruthSocial site in his latest intervention into British politics.
'He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well! President DJT'
The PM reached the conclusion that his position is no longer tenable after talking to Cabinet colleagues, No10 advisers, union leaders and key Labour donors.
Attention will now turn to the prospects of a Burnham administration – with the former Greater Manchester mayor the overwhelming favourite to take over.
Mr Burnham is being urged to tear up Labour's tax pledges to fund his costly spending plans.
While fighting for the Makerfield seat, Mr Burnham said he would honour Labour's manifesto tax pledges, which include not raising income tax, National Insurance or VAT.
But allies of the new MP are now pushing him to drop the pledge or risk being 'hamstrung' in office.
Labour ministers and MPs on the Left of the party have rallied around Mr Burnham – including his right-hand woman Louise Haigh; Anneliese Midgley, who helped to run his campaign, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
May you like
One pro-Burnham minister told the Daily Mail: 'That manifesto was written at a certain point in time but so much has changed. I think Andy has an opportunity to say he's a new PM and in order to bring about real change, it is going to require some big changes.
'That includes on tax, where he is going to need to raise revenues to deal with the huge pressures in defence, in the NHS, in getting our high streets where they need to be... I think if we stick to those tax pledges he is going to be hamstrung from the start and people could become disillusioned very quickly.'
