Keir Starmer plans to cling on to power for six MONTHS as Labour is accused of tumbling into 'chaos and civil war'

By GABRIEL MILLARD-CLOTHIER, POLITICAL REPORTER and BRENDAN CARLIN Published: 17:57, 30 May 2026 | Updated: 17:58, 30 May 2026 Labour was accused of descending into 'chaos and civil war' last night over plans for Sir Keir Starmer to cling on to power till Christmas even as his party dithered over the defence of the nation. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Sir Keir's allies have drawn up proposals for a six-month handover to would-be successor Mr Burnham – including one final Budget for Chancellor Rachel Reeves. It came amid reports yesterday that despite last week accusing Sir Keir of having no 'coherent plan' to run the country, Sir Tony Blair had privately advised him some weeks before to fight on as Prime Minister. In a private call, Sir Tony reportedly advised Sir Keir to seek to stay in Number 10 for the foreseeable future. And sources told this newspaper that although the PM had now privately accepted that he would have to make way for Mr Burnham if he won the Makerfield by-election next month, there should be an extended transition. However, the plan was branded a 'recipe for paralysis' by the Tories last night with even Labour MPs privately saying 'a six-month farewell tour for Keir' was madness. It also comes amid continued delays to the publication of a blueprint setting out billions of pounds of vital new spending on the Armed Forces. The long-overdue Defence Investment Plan (DIP) – designed to show that Labour was serious about strengthening the nation's defences – was originally due to be published last year. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended a signing ceremony of a UK-Poland defence and security treaty with Poland's prime minister Donald Tusk this week But postponements have been blamed on the Chancellor's alleged refusal to find an extra £18billion for defence – a claim denied by sources close to Ms Reeves – and suggestions that it should be put off till after the June 18 Makerfield by-election. It also comes with Labour embroiled in fierce infighting over its future after ex-PM Sir Tony's criticisms of Labour in government and Manchester mayor Mr Burnham's ripostes. Last night, Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'Dither and delay have become the hallmark of this Labour government. 'They can't agree on when the Prime Minister finally goes, they can't publish a defence plan, and they can't decide what the Labour Party even stands for. 'The reality of Labour in power is paralysis at the top and chaos all around. 'Blair and Burnham are openly at war over the party's future while Starmer deludedly plots to cling on until Christmas, even presiding over yet another Reeves Budget to inflict more damage on working people and businesses before he finally goes. 'This is a government that has lost all authority, all direction and all credibility. Britain deserves better. After this month's disastrous local elections for Labour, Sir Keir initially came out vowing to fight against all challengers to his job – including Mr Burnham. Former prime minister Tony Blair attended the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change's annual Future of Britain Conference in July 2024 However, allies of the PM say he has now accepted that if the Manchester mayor wins the by-election and returns to the Commons, he will have to let Mr Burnham take over and succeed him without a full-scale contest in a so-called 'coronation'. However, they insist the handover should be an extended one, to allow Sir Keir to 'cement his legacy' and preside over one more Budget even though Mr Burnham, as PM-in-waiting' would be consulted. But one senior Labour MP said last night: 'Why on earth should we have a lame duck PM in office for six months with his successor waiting on the Number 10 doorstep? In a boost to Mr Burnham last night, a new poll showed backing for his ambition for the top job. Asked who would make the best PM, 32 per cent of voters said the Manchester mayor, 19 per cent for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and 17 per cent for Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK. However, the poll, conducted by former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft, also revealed that only one in five voters though a new PM would change the Labour government for the better, with 57 per cent disagreeing. Asked whether the Labour Government was better or worse than its Tory predecessor, 31 per cent said better and 40 per cent worse. In the light of both Mr Burnham and Labour leadership Wes Streeting saying the UK should rejoin the EU in the long term, 67 per cent said any such decision should be subject to a referendum, with only 17 per cent disagreeing. Last night, Downing Street denied that there were plans for a transition, insisting that the PM had already publicly said he was not walking away. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.