PM under pressure from Labour MPs and ministers to set timetable for exit

PM under pressure from Labour MPs and ministers to set timetable for exitJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePA MediaSir Keir Starmer is facing calls to set a timetable for his departure from Downing Street after Andy Burnham won a resounding victory in the Makerfield by-election.A growing number of Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir to announce plans to hand power to the former Greater Manchester mayor, without the need for a potentially messy leadership contest.But the prime minister has insisted he will fight any challenge and will not "walk away" from the job.Burnham's allies have urged Sir Keir to reflect over the weekend and listen to his cabinet ministers, MPs and family.The former mayor's team - and that of another potential challenger Wes Streeting - have said they will not be giving any media interviews over the wekend, in an apparent bid to give the prime minister time to change his mind. In a conversation earlier with Sir Keir, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander suggested he set out a timetable to leave office, the BBC has been told.A spokesperson for Alexander said: "Heidi and the PM spoke this afternoon as part of wider cabinet calls. It was a private conversation and I am not going to reveal what was said."What is Burnham's path to becoming Labour leader and PM?The key figures in Andy Burnham's inner circleEnergy bills, business rates and HS2: What are Burnham's potential policies?Asked if he would set a timetable for his departure, Sir Keir told the BBC: "I was elected to serve my country with a mandate that we secured at a general election two years ago."He said he had achieved economic stability and got immigration "back under control" and there was more he wanted to do.But he added: "if there is a contest, yes I will run. I will stand and I have said repeatedly I am not going to walk away from that." In a lunchtime call, Sir Keir told Labour staff members that the party...