Prime Minister Keir Starmer has held a secret meeting with Andy Burnham to discuss the transition of power, according to reports. The meeting, which took place away from Downing Street, lasted around an hour and marked the first time the two have spoken since Starmer returned to Westminster.
The talks come as Burnham is widely expected to succeed Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister. Cabinet ministers loyal to Starmer have indicated they will not back any candidate against Burnham, urging the chief secretary to the prime minister not to run in a contest.
In other developments, Labour has announced that Bev Craig will be its candidate to replace Burnham in the election for a new Greater Manchester mayor. Craig, currently leader of Manchester City Council and deputy mayor for economy, business and inclusive growth, has pledged to build on progress made over the last decade.
Meanwhile, EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds expressed confidence that the new prime minister will conclude a deal to reset relations with the EU later this year, despite the cancellation of a July summit. He said all leadership candidates have committed to the 2024 manifesto, which includes closer ties with the EU post-Brexit.
Thomas-Symonds also highlighted the looming deadline for tariff-free exports of electric vehicles between the UK and EU, stating that the government will not take its eye off the ball to prevent 10% tariffs on UK exports.
