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Starmer 'on brink of quitting' after Burnham's victory - and could be gone by Monday

The beleagured PM previously said he would stand in a leadership contest if one is triggered, but was reported to be using the weekend to consider his future and is facing growing calls to quit

[Sir Keir is feeling the pressure]

Sir Keir is feeling the pressure(Image: Getty Images)

Sir Keir Starmer will announce he is quitting as prime minister as early as Monday, it is claimed. The PM is said to recognise that things are bad after Labour leadership rival Andy Burnham's stonking byelection victory.

The beleagured PM previously said he would stand in a leadership contest if one is triggered. But he is reported to be using the weekend to consider his future, including whether he can build enough support to take on the King of the North .

And reports have emerged on Sunday that he has reached the conclusion his position is no longer tenable after talking to Cabinet colleagues, advisers, union leaders and key Labour donors.

[Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France Van Heel are greeted by supporters]

Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France Van Heel are greeted by supporters(Image: Getty Images)

Sir Keir, who is this weekend discussing his future with his wife Victoria at their country retreat Chequers, was yet to make a final decision. But sources told The Sun he was reflecting his position and weighing up "what is best for the country."

One described the PM as "very isolated", while another senior source told the paper: "I think there is just a 25 per cent chance he fights on now."

It also reports that Mr Burnham could trigger a "tsunami" of ministerial resignations to try to force Keir Starmer out as PM if he refuses to quit.

[Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said he will stand in a leadership contest]

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said he will stand in a leadership contest(Image: BBC)

And a Labour frontbencher added: "The PM just doesn't have many friends left. It is about Keir Starmer. He is the problem. If Andy Burnham wasn't challenging him, someone else would be."

Former Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham is being sworn in as MP for Makerfield tomorrow morning in Parliament after his huge victory saw him mop up more than votes than the other 13 candidates combined.

A showdown with Sir Keir is expected soon afterwards to tell the PM to handover the reins of power to him in a bloodless coup. And Sir Keir is under pressure to make his intentions clear before Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.

[Burnham the morning after his by-election victory, at Ashton Town FC, in Ashton in Makerfield]

Burnham the morning after his by-election victory, at Ashton Town FC, in Ashton in Makerfield(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Labour grandee Charlie Falconer laid into the PM on Saturday, saying has "no authority" and should hand over power to Mr Burnham as he has lost the confidence of his MPs and should quit.

He told the BBC: "I think we have to move as quickly as possible to resolve the position. It is completely unmaintainable for the country. We have a Prime Minister who's got absolutely no authority.

"There should be an agreed transition process in which Andy and Keir co-operate as to when the handover should take place."

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