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Andy Burnham holds secret talks with Keir Starmer on a smooth transition of power as Labour prepares for a new leader and the next prime minister.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks to Andy Burnham. (REUTERS/File Photo)
Labour MP Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer reportedly held a secret meeting to discuss the transition.
According to a report by The TimesAndy Burnham is understood to have held secret talks with Sir Keir Starmer, as the prime minister pledged to smooth his transition to power.
Known widely by his nickname, the “King of the North”, Burnham positioned himself as Starmer’s chief internal rival following his decisive victory in a June 2026 parliamentary by-election, forcing a leadership crisis that caused Starmer’s premiership to collapse.
Starmer was said to have left Downing Street for an hour-long “off-site” meeting with Burnham – the first time the two men had spoken since he returned to Westminster.
Starmer resigned as Britain’s prime minister and Labour leader on Monday, setting in motion a party leadership process that will determine who takes over in Downing Street. He also announced that the party’s National Executive Committee, or NEC, will open nominations on July 9.
The Guardian quoted Starmer telling the cabinet on Tuesday that he wants to “resolve difficult issues” before he leaves Downing Street.
“The prime minister said he’d seek to make the transition as easy as possible, giving his full support to whoever followed in his footsteps. The prime minister said the cabinet had responsibilities before he stepped down, adding the normal business of government must proceed,” the PM’s spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said that Andy Burnham will be allowed “access talks” with the civil service before he becomes PM.
London, United Kingdom (UK)
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