Three out of four individuals indicated that Reynolds had encouraged the PM to agree to the widespread calls for him to establish a departure timeline. However, the fourth person disputed this characterization of the meeting. Both No. 10 and Reynolds’ team refused to comment.
A fifth person, an MP, stated they were informed ahead of the Downing Street meeting that Reynolds was planning to have an honest discussion with Starmer.
Additionally, on Friday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander advised the PM during his Cabinet ring-round to outline a timetable, as initially reported by the Financial Times. POLITICO confirmed this account with someone familiar with the conversation involving the formerly loyal ally who remains closely connected to Burnham.
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, and Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, have both previously urged the prime minister to provide a timetable for his departure.
Planned calls between Starmer and other senior ministers are set for the weekend.
The PM has asserted he will continue his fight following Burnham’s significant victory, which will return him to Westminster—a move specifically aimed at challenging Starmer for national leadership, as Starmer has been weakened by repeated political missteps and heavy losses in recent local elections.
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