A plot within Labour to topple Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister began a year ago, reports suggest.
Josh Simons, the former science minister who gave up his Westminster seat for Andy Burnham, is said to have met with the Mayor of Greater Manchester 12 months ago and backed the removal of the Prime Minister while working in the Cabinet Office.
Mr Burnham received permission to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, with Labour’s National Executive Committee opting not to block his candidacy.
A party spokesman said: “Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, has today given permission to Andy Burnham to stand in the candidate selection process in the forthcoming by-election for the Makerfield constituency.”
A Labour MP told The Sun on Sunday: “He was talking about breaking with Keir last summer.
“He went to see Andy to speak to him about his ideas.
“Then he said the PM was finished and that the next leader had to be Andy Burnham.
“This resignation has actually been a long time in the making.”
A plot to topple Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister reportedly began a year ago
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Sir Keir has vowed to fight on and refused to resign despite a major leadership crisis triggered by a disastrous set of local election results.
Despite this pledge, it is now understood the Holborn and St Pancras MP will set out an orderly timetable for his resignation.
A member of the Cabinet told The Mail on Sunday: “Keir understands the political reality.
“He realises the current chaos is unsustainable. He simply wants to be able to do it in a dignified way and in a manner of his own choosing. He will set out a timetable.”
A Labour MP gave up his seat for Andy Burnham to attempt to re-enter Westminster
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The exact timing of the announcement is understood to have not been decided.
The ally commented: “He’s not going to take the risk of waiting for the result of the by-election. That would be too much of a personal humiliation.
“If he waits and then Burnham wins, it looks as if he’s driven him out of office.”
Ex-Health Secretary Wes Streeting was the first to confirm he will stand in a “proper contest” to replace Sir Keir in No10.
Wes Streeting was the first to confirm he will stand in a ‘proper contest’ to replace Sir Keir Starmer
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Mr Streeting, who has also been accused of plotting against the PM for months, set out his stall yesterday at a Progress think-tank event in London.
The Ilford North MP called for a “proper debate” as part of the process of finding a successor to Sir Keir after warning Labour risks becoming “the handmaidens of Nigel Farage and the breakup of the United Kingdom”.
Both Mr Burnham and Mr Streeting have made clear their commitment to rejoin the European Union.
Other potential Labour leadership candidates include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns.