Starmer facing pressure from ministers and Labour grandees to prepare for ‘orderly exit’

Cabinet ministers and Labour grandees are to urge Keir Starmer not to fight a leadership challenge and to prepare for an “orderly exit,” the Guardian understands. Andy Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection overnight, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks. One MP said they believed there were about 200 Labour MPs prepared – if necessary – to sign Burnham’s nomination papers for a challenge. Starmer was said to be calling members of the cabinet on Friday afternoon to set out his determination to fight on. At least two, Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood, have previously suggested to the prime minister that he should set out a timetable for his departure. Makerfield election chart One cabinet source said they believed some other cabinet ministers would press the prime minister about whether fighting a leadership contest would be wise. Another cabinet source said: “I think everyone thinks it is over and everyone wants it to be a dignified, orderly exit.” Two Labour grandees – David Blunkett and Harriet Harman – have also said there should be a timetable for new leadership. Senior Labour sources said they believed that if the prime minister did not resign over the weekend – or indicate that he would allow a transition to a new leader – then there would be an intervention at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. …