Keir Starmer pledges 'smooth transition' after face-to-face talks with Andy Burnham

The prime minister told his cabinet he would try to make the process 'as easy as possible' for his successor

Andy Burnham will start receiving government briefings to prepare for power after Keir Starmer authorised Civil Service access talks to begin for “prospective candidates” for the Labour leadership. Picture: PA

British prime minister Keir Starmer has held face-to-face talks with his likely successor, Andy Burnham, as he pledged a “smooth transition” of power following his resignation.

Starmer met the frontrunner to replace him in No 10 for the first time since the former Greater Manchester mayor’s by-election victory for an hour-long “off-site” discussion.