Lucy Fisher

And Burnham's argument is, look, I've shown locally that I can take on Farage and beat reform.

Now let me lead the party and I can do it nationally.

So things are moving quickly.

We know that cabinet ministers have privately over the weekend urged Starmer to think about his position.

So we're all bracing to see whether there is a podium erected in Downing Street today or later this week.

at which Starmer potentially announces his plan to resign and sets out a timetable for that.

I think that tone of defiance and stubbornness speaks to something in his character.

And beyond that,

He has very, very difficult relations with Andy Burnham.

So there's barely anyone less likely that Starmer would want to hand the keys of Downing Street to.

And on top of all that, you know, I think he feels very aggrieved, his friends tell me, that he sees it being the case that he's not given enough credit by his party for winning this stunning majority less than two years ago.

And in a sense, if you step back, I think it's easy to understand he's in a state of shock in a way at just how quickly things have unravelled in less than 24 months.

So I think he was looking to hang on in.

He may yet still attempt to do that.

But I think that the political gravity is becoming clear to him.

And perhaps even some of his friends and loyalists now are telling him to read the room.

Well, there are various ways this could go.

It does feel that there is so much political energy behind Andy Burnham that it's difficult to see anyone else overtaking him in the race whatsoever.

to become the next prime minister.

But there are supporters of, for example, Wes Streeting, the former health secretary who resigned last month and who is more to the right of the party, who want there to be a contest.