Burnham and Starmer hold ‘frosty’ meeting to thrash out transition of power

Keir Starmer has met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Makerfield byelection in what sources said was a “frosty” meeting to thrash out a transition of power. The prime minister has agreed for his likely successor to have talks with the civil service to smooth his path, but there is deep resentment within his inner circle towards Burnham for ousting Starmer. One Downing Street insider suggested that tensions at the meeting – which was held away from No 10 and is understood to have lasted around an hour – were indicative of the strained relationship between the two sides. “Keir has shown time and again that he will put the interests of the country first but it is fair to say the meeting wasn’t the warmest. Frosty, even,” they added. Allies of Starmer said that although he was serious about an orderly handover, he had no qualms in denying Burnham – who had initially hoped to take over in September – a long coronation in order to prepare for government. “There was a strong push from the Burnham camp to be given longer. But why should they tell Keir they want him out, then expect him to manage the ship through a potentially difficult summer? Keir will of course cooperate on transition, but it will be through gritted teeth,” one said. Some in Burnham’s team were exasperated about the shorter timetable. “The last lot had years to prepare and still fucked it up. We’ll just have to do it in three weeks,” one senior source said. …