Andy Burnham's emphatic victory in the Makerfield by-election early this morning has sent ripples through the Labour Party, with many MPs now openly discussing the future of leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Sources within the party, spanning various factions and generations, describe a growing sentiment that Starmer's leadership is nearing its end. This comes despite Starmer's role in returning Labour to government and achieving a significant electoral turnaround just five years after the party's worst election defeat.

MPs are reportedly using terms like "delusional" to describe the current leadership's stance, contrasting it with the unity they perceive among those who believe a leadership contest is inevitable. The public's perception of the governing party as "divided" and "only interested in themselves" is a concern being circulated among Prime Minister's supporters, highlighting the potential electoral damage of internal conflict.

The narrative gaining traction among Labour MPs is that Burnham's path to Downing Street is increasingly assured, with the primary question being the method of his ascension. The term "coronation" is being increasingly used, suggesting that Burnham could become leader without a full party election, similar to Gordon Brown's ascent in 2007.

This scenario anticipates Burnham securing the necessary backing of 81 MPs, a threshold many believe he would easily surpass. Such an outcome would mean Labour members would not have a vote in selecting their leader, with the decision effectively made by parliamentary support.

However, potential complications to a swift "coronation" exist. Wes Streeting, who recently resigned as health secretary, is mentioned as a figure who could influence the leadership contest landscape, although the specifics of his position or ambitions remain unclear in this context.

Burnham's success in the Makerfield by-election is being framed as a personal triumph, with political analyst Sir John Curtice noting its significance against the Reform party. This personal success is seen by many within Labour as a clear signal of his readiness for a national leadership role.

The focus now shifts to Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour leadership, who face the challenge of navigating these internal pressures and deciding on the party's future direction amidst escalating speculation following Burnham's significant electoral win.