Burnham at centre of row over calling early election after Labour coronation

The party set out a timeline for a leadership contest following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's resignation earlier this week, but there is scant evidence of support for any contenders other than Burnham.

Fewer than three out of 10 (28%) of Britons trust Labour on defence, compared with 30% who have confidence in Reform UK and one in three (33%) who trusts the Conservatives on this crucial issue.

Little is known about Burnham’s thinking on defence, and there have been worries in the MoD that the former mayor of Greater Manchester would reopen any spending deal agreed in Keir Starmer’s final days, despite the prime minister’s attempts to shore up his legacy on the issue.