Summary

  • Keir Starmer is about to face his first Prime Minister's Questions since he announced his resignation as Labour leader - watch live from 12:00 BST

  • Andy Burnham remains the front-runner to succeed Starmer, with the two meeting for talks on Tuesday to ensure an "orderly transition of power"

  • Earlier today, the prime minister's chief secretary, Darren Jones, said he won't challenge Burnham for the Labour Party leadership

  • If he doesn't face a challenger, Burnham could become prime minister as early as 16 or 17 July - here's a timeline of how we got here

  1. Prime Minister's Questions to begin shortlypublished at 11:58 BST

    It's approaching midday, which is when Keir Starmer will face questions from MPs for the first time since announcing his resignation as prime minister.

    We'll bring you all the key lines here, and you can watch live at the top of the page.

  2. No sign of Burnham yet ahead of one of Starmer's last PMQspublished at 11:53 BST

    Brian Wheeler
    Reporting from the House of Commons

    This is set to be a pretty weird PMQs - one of the last for Keir Starmer, before he stands down.

    There is much speculation about whether Andy Burnham will show up. There is no sign of him so far.

  3. Starmer heads to the Commons ahead of PMQspublished at 11:40 BST

    Media caption,

    'Was the political heat too hot?': Starmer heads to first PMQs since resignation

    Keir Starmer has just left No 10 and is on his way to the House of Commons.

    He's due to face MPs there at midday, for his first Prime Minister's Questions since he announced he would step down as leader of the country on Monday.

  4. What opposition leaders have said about Starmer's resignationpublished at 11:19 BST

    Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch speaking during a fireside chat at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) annual conference at Olympia LondonImage source, PA

    While we wait to hear from Starmer at PMQs this afternoon, here's a reminder of how each political leader has reacted to his resignation.

    Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she felt sympathy for Starmer on a human level, but he "wasn't doing the job properly" as prime minister. Speaking on Monday, she said: "There are critical decisions that need to be made and the prime minister is setting out his farewell tour while Andy Burnham wants a summer holiday."

    Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, said the public was sick of the "merry-go round" of prime ministers, but he told BBC Breakfast yesterday that he did not support calls for a general election.

    Meanwhile, Reform UK's Nigel Farage has been vocal in calling for an election, saying the public are "sick of the game of musical chairs" taking place inside No 10.

    Green party leader Zack Polanski told the BBC on Monday that the "jury is out" on Burnham, but his focus now is on winning the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral election.

    Scottish First Minister John Swinney said Starmer made the "right decision" in resigning and wished the prime minister and his family well, while his Welsh counterpart Rhun ap Iorwerth told BBC Wales that he wanted a "new relationship" with Westminster.

  5. A busy day for the UK's outgoing prime ministerpublished at 11:01 BST

    Keir Starmer has grey hair and wears glasses, a white shirt, burgundy tie and a blue jacketImage source, EPA/Shutterstock

    Keir Starmer might have announced his resignation, but his schedule is rumbling on as normal for now.

    At midday, he faces his weekly bout of Prime Minister's Questions - his first since announcing his plan to step down.

    Later, the prime minister is travelling to Berlin for a meeting with his French, German, Italian and Polish counterparts.

    The group are discussing preparations for next month's Nato summit, and we're expecting to hear from them later this afternoon.

    We'll bring you all the key developments on this right here.

  6. Labour MP calls on next PM to shift climate policypublished at 10:28 BST

    A wind farm off the coast of Isle Of ManImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Steve Yemm argues too much is spent on climate mitigation, such as emissions reduction

    Andy Burnham is yet to be chosen as the next prime minister but Labour MPs are already trying to influence his policy agenda.

    Steve Yemm, the Labour MP for Mansfield, is calling for a shift on climate policy, telling Radio 4's Today programme that the UK spends too much on climate mitigation - such as reducing emissions - which he says will have "little impact" in the short term.

    He tells Amol Rajan there is no doubt the UK is experiencing higher temperatures, flooding and heatwaves, but says because those things "are already with us", he would like to see more spent on "resilience and adaptation".

    Yemm says if the UK cut its emissions to zero overnight, the effect would be "minor" in terms of global warming, and says some of the money spent on reducing emissions should be set aside for the cost of living, NHS, and defence.

    You can read more here about why the record-breaking temperatures we're seeing in the UK show how our climate is changing here:

  7. Big problem facing next Labour leader is UK's lack of growth, says former IFS directorpublished at 10:05 BST

    A lack of growth is "the big problem" Andy Burnham would face if he becomes prime minister of the UK, says former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) Paul Johnson.

    The UK has grown "very slowly" over the last twenty years, but is grappling with an interest rate on its national debt that's "higher than almost any other developed country", he tells the Today programme.

    Tackling this would require "not just increasing taxes, but reforming taxes, reforming welfare", as well as "radically reforming regulatory and planning regimes", he says.

    If he were to assume office, Johnson thinks Burnham's first action should be to "get on top of the welfare budget".

    "It became a big problem for Rachel [Reeves]", he says. Burnham would "be at his strongest moment to get on top of the welfare budget as soon as he enters".

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  8. A frantic few days in Westminster - how did we get here?published at 09:54 BST

    Kieran Kelly
    Live reporter

    Keir Starmer looks down as he announces his resignation on the steps of Downing StreetImage source, EPA/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Keir Starmer announces his resignation on the steps of Downing Street

    It has been a frantic few days in politics.

    This time last week, Andy Burnham wasn't even an MP - and now the former Greater Manchester mayor is widely expected to become the next prime minister. Here's a reminder of how we got here:

    19 June - Burnham emphatically wins the Makerfield by-election, taking more votes than all his rivals combined. He describes his victory as a "turning point", while Starmer insists he will fight any leadership challenge.

    20 June - The prime minister is in Chequers, his country retreat, contemplating his political fate with his wife Victoria. It follows conversations with cabinet ministers, who urged him to step aside.

    21 June - Signs start to appear that Starmer is about to resign - Business Secretary Peter Kyle tells the BBC that Starmer is reflecting on "political realities".

    22 June - Starmer announces his resignation shortly after 9:30 BST, confirming that a new leader will be in place by 1 September at the latest - it is likely to be sooner.

    Shortly after, Burnham boards a train from Manchester to London, where he is sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield. By this point, he has confirmed he will run to replace Starmer.

    23 June - Starmer and Burnham hold secret talks as No 10 confirms the prime minister wants an "orderly transition".

    24 June - The path to No 10 appears to clear for Burnham with Darren Jones, a senior cabinet minister, throwing his weight behind the former Greater Manchester mayor.

    Andy Burnham takes a selfie with a large group of Labour MPs in Westminster Hall. He is smiling, as are the majority of Labour MPs, with the entire hall nearly filledImage source, Andy Burnham
    Image caption,

    Andy Burnham is greeted by the majority of Labour MPs after being sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield

  9. Reeves 'unfairly' criticised for 'tough choices', says former political directorpublished at 09:25 BST

    Rachel Reeves has shoulder length reddish brown hair, and wears a white shirt and blue jacketImage source, PA Media

    With it now expected that Andy Burnham will want a new chancellor to replace Rachel Reeves if he becomes prime minister, one of her former political directors has defended her decision-making.

    "It's not clear at the moment" what the rational for removing Reeves would be, says Matt Pound, who worked for the chancellor until March.

    But he tells the Today programme: "We also have to accept that her commitment to fiscal responsibility has also caused consternation in the Parliamentary Labour Party, who do not feel that she has taken some decisions that have been helpful to them in getting re-elected."

    "Tough choices" are part of fiscal responsibility, Pound says. "Somewhat unfairly, Rachel has borne the brunt on that."

  10. Starmer holds talks with Burnham as he seeks 'orderly' transitionpublished at 08:55 BST

    A composite image shows head and shoulders pictures of Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham.Image source, PA/Reuters

    Keir Starmer met Andy Burnham for talks on Tuesday, as he seeks to ensure an "orderly" transition of power after announcing he is standing down as prime minister.

    It is the first time the pair have met since Burnham won last week's Makerfield by-election. The hour-long meeting came as Starmer authorised access talks with civil servants for prospective Labour leadership candidates to prepare them for government.

    Burnham is the only candidate to have emerged so far and if he does not face a challenger he could become prime minister as early as 16 or 17 July.

    Access talks are normally granted to opposition party leaders ahead of a general election.

    The PM's spokesman said the access talks will begin "as soon as possible" and before formal nominations for any Labour leadership contest close on 16 July.

    The talks will focus on the "formation of government and key policy priorities", the PM's spokesman added, and would include security briefings.

  11. PM to push ahead with controversial defence plan - despite resignationspublished at 08:26 BST

    StarmerImage source, Reuters / House of Commons
    Image caption,

    Starmer faces Prime Minister's Questions at 12:00, for the first time since announcing his resignation

    When Keir Starmer faces MPs today, he might be quizzed over the long-awaited publication of the defence investment plan.

    Despite his resignation as prime minister, the plan will be published ahead of next month's Nato summit.

    That's despite the proposals triggering the resignations of two ministers earlier this month - Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns (who could still enter the contest to replace Starmer - see our previous post).

    The decision to press ahead with the defence plans could cause tension with Starmer's successor.

    Andy Burnham and his team have been discussing that with Healey - who warned when he resigned that the PM's plan "well short of what is required".

    Speaking on Tuesday in the House of Commons, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the plan would be published before the Nato summit n 7 July, and said it would "involve more money, spent more effectively and meet the scale of the challenges we face".

    Defence spending chart as % of GDP
  12. 'I'm pretty serious about this' - Al Carns on possible leadership bidpublished at 07:43 BST

    The prime minister's chief secretary Darren Jones might have ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest - but former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns could still challenge Andy Burnham.

    Speaking to BBC Newsnight on Tuesday, Carns insisted he is "pretty serious" in considering a leadership bid, but wants to "see behind Andy Burnham what the policies are" before making a final call.

    As a reminder, leadership nominations open on 9 July and run until 16 July. Potential candidates have until then to amass the support of at least 81 Labour MPs to enter the race.

    Asked whether he will back Burnham if he agrees with his policies, Carns tells BBC Newsnight: "I think that's a collective view across the Labour Party as a whole."

    He explains the party wants to "get behind" Andy but says "we need to see that material before I can make a decision to back anyone".

  13. Analysis

    Another complication removed for Burnhampublished at 07:26 BST

    Henry Zeffman
    Chief political correspondent

    Andy Burnham with colleagues from the Parliamentary Labour Party in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament in central London, as he returns to the House of Commons to take up his seat after winning the Makerfield by-election.Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Andy Burnham with Labour MPs on Monday

    It was already highly likely that Andy Burnham would become the next prime minister and Labour leader.

    Arguably Darren Jones’s announcement does not really change that - though he claimed in his interview with Sky News that he might have been able to reach the 81 MPs required for a full leadership election with party members over the summer.

    But at the very least it removes a slight complication from Burnham’s path, allowing him to focus more on his plans for government, even if the former defence minister Al Carns is still publicly toying with his own challenge (we'll have more from Carns in our next post).

    What’s striking is how candid Jones was that his big concern about Burnham was his plans for the economy.

    He said that Burnham had reassured him. The former Manchester mayor is giving a speech on the economy next week which will in part represent his attempt to reassure other MPs.

    In addition, this is why the question of who would be his chancellor is so central to the debate in Westminster.

  14. If Reeves is replaced - who could be the next chancellor?published at 07:14 BST

    Mitchell Labiak
    BBC Business reporter

    Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves on stage at an eventImage source, PA Media

    Wes Streeting: Instead of pitching himself for the leadership role, Streeting has backed Burnham - and could be awarded the number two job in British politics.

    Ed Miliband: Somesee Miliband as an inflation risk, believing his drive for net zero as energy secretary is partly responsible for the UK's high energy prices compared to other countries. But others think he could gain the confidence of the markets with his "intellect, experience, and authority".

    Pat McFadden: He's held shadow Treasury jobs, been a business minister in a Labour government and is the current work and pensions secretary. His experience in the latter could help tackle welfare reform.

    Yvette Cooper: She has years of experience in government, and served as chief secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown.

  15. Burnham likely to replace Reeves if he becomes PMpublished at 07:12 BST

    Harry Farley
    Political correspondent

    Rachel ReevesImage source, Reuters

    The BBC understands that if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister, he is expected to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor and offer her a more junior cabinet position.

    Most Labour MPs assume Reeves will not continue in that role but, as first reported by the Financial Times,, external she is expected to be offered a more junior cabinet position.

    A close ally of Burnham told the BBC: "Andy really respects Rachel and I'm confident he'll want her in his top team."

    A spokesperson for Burnham said no decisions had been made.

    Meanwhile, James Purnell - who served as a minister in Gordon Brown's government between 2007 and 2009 - is expected to be appointed Burnham's Downing Street chief of staff.

    As well as working under Labour governments, Purnell has worked at the BBC in various roles including head of corporate planning and, more recently, director of radio and education. He left the corporation in 2020.

  16. Jones had 'reassuring conversation' with Burnham about economic policypublished at 06:36 BST

    Henry Zeffman
    Chief political correspondent

    Darren JonesImage source, Reuters

    Senior cabinet minister Darren Jones has endorsed Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership.

    Despite speculation that he would run himself, the chief secretary to the prime minister said that "Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister".

    Jones, a former deputy to Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, said he had had a "reassuring conversation" with Burnham about economic policy.

    He suggested that a full leadership election would be a bad idea but said there were "definitely upwards of 100 MPs who have expressed concern either around a contest or economic policy or who were just feeling pretty depressed off the back of Keir Starmer resigning".

    Jones's comments came in an interview with Sky News.

  17. Andy Burnham's path to No 10 clearspublished at 06:35 BST

    Adam Goldsmith
    Live reporter

    Jones and BurnhamImage source, Reuters

    As Keir Starmer prepares to front the Prime Minister's Questions dispatch box today, it's looking increasingly likely Andy Burnham will be the man to replace him.

    Burnham could become prime minister by 16 or 17 July - which is now looking increasingly likely, as already-lukewarm bids from leadership rivals have cooled.

    Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones was said to be considering a leadership bid. He now tells Sky News: "Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister."

    "So the question for me," Jones asks, "is, well, what would the benefit be to the country and to the party of a leadership contest?"

    Meanwhile former Defence Minister Al Carns told BBC Newsnight on Tuesday that he is considering a contest, and will need to see Burnham's policies "before I can make a decision to back him".

    As Starmer prepares to take his final Commons bow, Rachel Reeves's time as chancellor may be limited - the BBC understands Burnham is likely to swap her into a more junior cabinet position if he becomes PM.

    As we build up to PMQs at noon, we'll catch you up with a frantic week in politics, and look ahead to how the race to be the UK's next prime minister is playing out.