Mail On Sunday: Starmer Tells Allies He Intends to Stand Down
Dan Hodges writes in the Mail On Sunday, summarised by the BBC’s Sunday papers round-up, that Sir Keir Starmer has told close friends he intends to stand down and set out a timetable for his departure. A Cabinet minister is quoted saying “he realises the current chaos is unsustainable”, and that the Prime Minister will leave in a “manner of his own choosing”. The Times has separately reported the autumn defence-spending boost as part of the survival package; the Eurasia Group raised the probability of Starmer being ousted this year to 80% on Friday.
Number 10 has not confirmed the Hodges briefing, and Starmer’s allies continue to insist publicly that he will contest any challenge. The two paths now in play: an orderly transition once Burnham wins Makerfield (most likely 18 June), with a contest concluding by September in time for the autumn Liverpool conference; or a contested race that runs through the summer with Streeting, Burnham and possibly Rayner all standing. Per the BBC’s Sunday papers summary, the Observer claims Starmer’s relationship with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has been “gravely damaged” by Miliband’s refusal to mobilise the soft left in the Prime Minister’s defence. The first PMQs after the reshuffle is scheduled for Wednesday.