It\u2019s thought Mr Burnham will challenge to be leader of the Labour Party. If successful, we would then became British prime minister. <\/p>\n
A senior UK government figure told news agency Reuters that Mr Starmer is focused on his job \u2013 and claimed the prime minister isn\u2019t going anywhere.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mr Burnham, who has made two previous runs at heading the Labour Party, is said to have the support of over half the Labour MPs to mount a leadership challenge to Mr Starmer, the outlet reported. <\/p>\n
The two are set to meet in the coming days.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeir has realised the game is up and it\u2019s got to be a graceful exit,\u201d a senior Labour figure told Reuters The Observer. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he rightly wants to avoid is humiliation, but the worst humiliation for Keir personally would be if he stands in a leadership election and is heavily beaten.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Burnham, who was mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017-2026, was once associated with the centrist pro-business faction of the Labour Party, but now presents himself as a left-wing populist and is known for his man on the street social media videos. <\/p>\n
He received 55 per cent of the vote, walloping Labour\u2019s main rival, the Reform Party, headed by Brexiteer Nigel Farage.<\/p>\n
Mr Starmer has faced dismal approval ratings as Britain deals with economic and immigration issues. <\/p>\n
He has frequently clashed with US President Donald Trump \u2013 particularly after he refused to come to the aid of the United States in the war against Iran.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not happy with the UK either \u2026 this is not Winston Churchill that we\u2019re dealing with,\u201d Mr Trump said of Mr Starmer in March after tensions between the two leaders came to a boil.<\/p>\n
Mr Trump was frustrated by Mr Starmer\u2019s refusal to allow US planes to launch from the joint US-UK air base in Diego Garcia and other UK bases in the region.<\/p>\n
He ultimately allowed the US access to Diego Garcia, but not after several tongue-lashings from the commander in chief.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were not involved in the initial strikes against Iran, and we will not join offensive action now. But in the face of Iran\u2019s barrage of missiles and \u2060drones, we will protect our people in the region,\u201d Mr Starmer said in March.<\/p>\n
This story originally appeared on the New York Post<\/a> and was republished with permission.<\/p>\n