The two scenarios facing No10 if Starmer resigns with Burnham arriving in Westminster

Sir Keir Starmer is considering whether he can remain prime minister amid growing expectations among allies that he could announce a timetable for his departure on Monday.

Sir Keir spent the weekend with his wife Victoria and his closest allies at the luxury and philanthropic house Checkers as he contemplated his political future.

Some cabinet ministers publicly told him on Friday he needed to come up with a clear plan to resign, but Downing Street insisted Sir Keir must continue the fight.

Monday will see Andy Burnham return to Westminster following his victory in the Makerfield by-election. Labor MPs have been invited to a photocall with the former Manchester mayor to celebrate Mr Burnham’s massive victory over Reformation England.

Mr Burnham reportedly prefers to wait to become prime minister in September after the summer holidays rather than be crowned any time soon. Delaying handover will allow Sir Keir Starmer to ‘secure his legacy’, source says Independent.

But some Labor MPs are concerned about an earlier transfer of power and have suggested as early as mid-July.

So what will be his options if Sir Keir announces his resignation on Monday?

Andy Burnham’s coronation

If Sir Keir announced his resignation, it would trigger a Labor leadership contest in which Mr Burnham would need the support of 20 per cent of the party’s MPs. There are 403 Labor MPs, so the support of 81 people will be needed.

As long as Mr Burnham has the necessary support, a contest could be launched even if Sir Keir does not resign.

Once triggered, other candidates can join if they have 81 supporters.

But if Sir Keir decides not to run and no other Labor candidate reaches 81 supporters, then Mr Burnham would be the sole candidate and become prime minister.

Burnham’s side are reportedly keen for a planned transition between Sir Keir and the Makerfield MP to be given time for Mr Burnham to prepare for duty.

If Sir Keir announces he will step down in September, that could buy more time for a more orderly handover. The Prime Minister’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, is reported to have met with former transport minister Louise Haigh, a key supporter of Burnham.

But some Labor MPs insist that if Mr Burnham was handed the keys to No 10 it would quickly avoid a potentially damaging public debate about Labour’s future.

Open contest for party leadership

In an alternative scenario, former health secretary Wes Streeting or another rival could nominate enough candidates to run against Mr Burnham in the leadership fight.

If candidates receive sufficient MP support and are also nominated by at least five per cent of all local party branches or at least three party-affiliated groups, then they will be given the vote of Labor Party members.

The timing of this vote will be determined by the party’s national executive committee. Party members and affiliated union supporters vote by ranking the candidates in order of preference.

If a candidate receives more than 50 percent of first preferences, they win the contest. If this does not happen, the worst performing candidate is eliminated. Votes are then transferred from that candidate to the remaining options until one receives more than half the votes.

On Friday Sir Keir appeared to be talking to cabinet ministers about what arguments he would use in a leadership contest and telling them he would fight to remain prime minister. But the mood changed over the weekend, with the prime minister’s allies believing he had resigned himself to the fact that he would now have to resign.