Andy Burnham to start receiving Government briefings as Labour MPs mull challenge
Labour leadership frontrunner Andy Burnham will start receiving Government briefings from the Civil Service, it has been announced, as the outgoing prime minister said he would seek to make the transition of power “as easy as possible” for his successor.
Sir Keir Starmer has authorised access talks to begin with “prospective candidates” to replace him as soon as possible, Downing Street said.
The prime minister told ministers he wanted an “orderly transition” and would seek to “resolve difficult issues in the coming weeks” at a weekly cabinet meting on Tuesday morning.
It comes as cabinet minister Darren Jones and former armed forces minister Al Carns are being considered as potential candidates by Labour MPs, wary about installing Mr Burnham in No 10 without a contest.
The new Makerfield MP, who only returned to the Commons on Monday, could be in Downing Street within weeks if a challenger does not emerge.