Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with Andy Burnham on Tuesday for discussions aimed at ensuring an orderly transition of power following Starmer's announcement that he will be standing down. This meeting marks the first encounter between the two politicians since Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election last week.

The hour-long meeting, initially reported by The Times, comes as Sir Keir has authorized civil servants to begin access talks with prospective Labour leadership candidates. These discussions are designed to prepare them for the responsibilities of government. Burnham is currently the sole declared candidate, potentially positioning him to become prime minister as early as July 17 if he faces no opposition.

An ally of Burnham indicated that if he assumes the premiership, he is expected to offer current Chancellor Rachel Reeves a junior or mid-level cabinet role, stating that Burnham "really respects Rachel and I'm confident he'll want her in his top team." A spokesperson for Burnham, however, confirmed that no definitive decisions have been made regarding cabinet appointments. Reeves's team has been approached for comment.

Speculation is also mounting regarding potential successors for the Chancellor position, with Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting, John Healey, and Yvette Cooper frequently mentioned as possibilities. Furthermore, two close associates of the Makerfield MP suggested that former Labour cabinet minister James Purnell is anticipated to serve as Burnham's Downing Street chief of staff. Purnell previously held positions as culture secretary and work and pensions secretary under Gordon Brown.

Access talks with civil servants are typically granted to opposition party leaders in anticipation of a general election. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister confirmed that these preparatory discussions would commence promptly and conclude before the formal nomination period for any Labour leadership contest closes on July 16. The focus of these talks will encompass government formation and critical policy priorities, including essential security briefings.

The Prime Minister's spokesman noted that it remains unclear whether Burnham formally requested these access talks, emphasizing that the decision to grant them was recent. Sir Keir's decision to step down as prime minister follows less than two years in office and a reported loss of confidence among Labour MPs. During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Starmer expressed his desire for his successor to succeed and pledged to address challenging issues to ease the transition.

Sir Keir has also agreed to defer significant policy and spending decisions until a new prime minister is in place. This move aims to provide a stable environment for the incoming leader. The process for selecting a new leader is now underway, with the stakes high for the future direction of the Labour party and the country.

Questions remain about the specific timeline for leadership nominations and the full composition of Burnham's potential cabinet. The coming weeks are expected to bring further clarity on these matters as the political landscape continues to shift.