‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflection
While PM’s desire to fight was strong, time with his inner circle at Chequers sharpened his sense of the inevitable
TL;DR
- Keir Starmer initially vowed to resist leadership challenges, even after Andy Burnham's strong byelection win.
- A weekend at Chequers with his inner circle, including his wife Victoria, led to a change of heart.
- Key factors influencing Starmer's decision included the scale of Burnham's victory and mounting pressure from his own party.
- Ministers warned Starmer they would not support him if he continued to fight, with potential resignations looming.
- By Saturday, Starmer had begun drafting his resignation statement.
- Despite uncertainty about the exact timetable, the expectation was an orderly transition of power.