Two senior Labour MPs are reportedly mulling launching leadership bids to prevent Andy Burnham from walking straight into No 10.
Former defence minister Al Carns has said he is considering running, while the BBC reports that Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary Darren Jones has not ruled out the possibility.
A number of MPs are uncomfortable with the thought that Mr Burnham will secure the top job in Westminster, without his policies facing any scrutiny.
If no Labour MP runs against him, it is likely he will be prime minister by 17 July.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer laid out his resignation plan in an address outside Number 10 on Monday, setting 9 July as the start date for the process to find his successor.
Mr Burnham returns to parliament following his victory in Thursday’s by-election in Makerfield, having secured a decisive majority over Reform.
Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
