Starmer ‘to weigh up his future as PM this weekend’ after ministers tell him to step down - latest

The prime minister will consider his next step over the weekend as he spends time with family, it is understood.

A mountain of pressure weighs upon Sir Keir Starmer as Cabinet ministers urge him to stand down, following Andy Burnham’s landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election.

The Independent has spoken to ministers who have confirmed they will be urging him to quit, and to hand the keys to No10 to the Greater Manchester mayor.

Heidi Alexander is understood to have been the first to tell the prime minister to go.

However, the prime minister has said he will “not walk away” from his premiership and will fight any leadership contest that comes about.

Though, private sources said Starmer recognises the undeniable pressure from backbenchers for him to go.

He is expected to take the weekend with his wife and children to decide what to do, The Times reported.

Earlier, Sir Keir warned that a leadership challenge could plunge the country “into chaos” as he called on the party to “pull together” and “take the fight” to Reform in the Greater Manchester Mayoralty contest.