The prime minister has agreed with the cabinet secretary to hold access talks with Labour leadership candidates as soon as possible and before formal nominations have closed, CSW understands.
Access talks usually take place with opposition parties in the run-up to a general election to give an incoming government the opportunity to discuss its plans and help civil servants prepare for change.
The access talks will be led and coordinated by the cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, in line with the Cabinet Manual.
The decision follows Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister on Monday (22 June). He said he would remain in post until a leadership contest is complete and do "everything" he can to ensure an orderly handover of power.
Following Starmer’s announcement, new MP and former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham confirmed he would stand for the top job. He is the only candidate confirmed in the Labour leadership contest so far.
On Tuesday (23 July), Starmer and Burnham met for an hour-long meeting away from Downing Street to facilitate a power transition, The Times reported. It was the first time they met following Burnham’s Makerfield by-election win last week.
Starmer agreed that access talks will take place with Labour’s runners and riders who meet the Labour Party threshold of at least 81 MPs supporting them. This will be established via a process between the Labour Party and the PM.
Although an official party timetable hasn’t been announced yet, Starmer said in his resignation speech that contenders to replace him would have between 9 and 16 July to garner the necessary support to stand.
If Burnham’s leadership bid goes unchallenged, he could become prime minister as early as 17 July.