Andy Burnham's team 'flapping' with panic as they scramble to prepare for government after praying Keir Starmer would give them more time before departing Downing Street

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE Published: 23:21, 23 June 2026 | Updated: 23:29, 23 June 2026 Andy Burnham's team was accused of 'flapping' with panic today, as they scrambled preparations to enter government far sooner than expected. The team surrounding the newly sworn-in Makerfield MP had been praying that Keir Starmer would announce plans for a September handover of power, but he blindsided them on Monday by announcing he could leave No. 10 within three weeks. The move has sparked frenzied preparations in Mr Burnham's leadership team, as they rush to assemble policies, and a government, in record time. A source close to Mr Burnham revealed serious concerns about whether he will be ready in time, even joking that they hope another candidate forces a contest to 'give us some more time to sort things out'. They told the Daily Mail: 'When I saw the chaos at Manchester Piccadilly station [yesterday], I thought "I'm really worried for him".' 'Is he ready for what is about to happen? I'm hopeful, but at the same time, I don't know what he's going to do. 'There's so much he's got to do. It's right he's spending today meeting with backbenchers - something Keir never did well. 'He's got to meet everybody, then speak to [government department] permanent secretaries, have an eye on fundraising in case Darren Jones does bother [to enter the contest]… you've also got to look like you're on the front foot with policy. Andy Burnham swearing into Parliament yesterday amid frenzied preparations to enter Downing Street A source close to Mr Burnham claimed the scenes at the train station yesterday made them feel 'worried' for him Mr Burnham could be set to enter No. 10 in just three weeks, provided no other candidate comes forward to trigger a leadership contest 'This is where I worry for him, really. Can you ever be ready? It's a lot to ask, and first impressions will count with the public.' A senior Labour MP revealed: 'I think they're flapping. They're trying to get their head around lots of policy and existing issues'. Meanwhile, a serving minister ominously added: 'God knows if he'll be ready - it's not long at all.' Mr Burnham will finally begin fleshing out his economic vision for the country next week as he delivers his first speech setting out plans to reduce national debt and the cost of borrowing. According to the Times, he will also reveal a 'credible' plan for growth, which sticks within Rachel Reeves' existing fiscal rules. Mr Burnham had also been due to appear at a campaign rally in Clapham, South London, tomorrow morning. However this has since been cancelled over fears it was set to be hijacked by pro-Palestine protesters.  The chaotic organisation of the event, which saw the time and location published a day in advance, caused one local Labour councillor to brand Mr Burnham's team 'clueless'. While multiple sources suggested that his campaign team was praying for more time to prepare for taking the reins of power, supporters of the former Manchester Mayor insisted they have been doing prep work 'for more time than people give them credit for'. They promised: 'There is a manifesto ready to go… There have been genuine policy conversations with stakeholders and the wider Parliamentary Labour Party.' Another source close to Mr Burnham suggested that the pending Summer Recess shortly after he could become Prime Minister is their 'saving grace', and will grant them 'a bit of breathing space'. It came as Downing Street confirmed today that Keir Starmer has given permission for 'access talks' to go ahead between leadership candidates and government departments. Sir Keir's spokesman said the talks will be led and coordinated by Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo, adding: 'The meetings will take place on a confidential basis without ministers being present or receiving a report of discussions.' 'Once a request has been made and authorised by the Prime Minister, access talks with prospective candidates will focus on the formation of government and key policy priorities, and this enables the civil service to prepare for any outcome.' But this afternoon, Cabinet Office civil servants were still trying to clarify how access talks will work, given that the existing handbook fails to address key questions specific to Labour's messy and unprecedented handover of power. Keir Starmer agreed to access talks after meeting with Andy Burnham for the first time this morning. The 'off-site' meeting, confirmed by Downing Street, lasted around an hour, and was the first time the pair had spoken since Mr Burnham was selected as Labour's candidate in Makerfield. Keir Starmer met with Mr Burnham in a secret hour-long meeting this morning, their first time talking in weeks Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo will head up 'access talks' for Mr Burnham with civil servants to smooth his transition into power His campaign team, headed by Louise Haigh, is having to rush through policy proposals and ministerial appointments over the coming weeks As pressure mounts on Mr Burnham and his close advisers to get ready for a potential coronation on July 17, his spokesman denied claims they had discussed persuading another candidate to enter the leadership election to give him more time to prepare. It came after a source close to him claimed that former Veterans minister Al Carns had 'been discussed a few weeks ago as a potential stalking horse to stretch it out', though they added that those conversations have since died out since Mr Burnham's by-election victory last Friday. Should he become Prime Minister in a matter of weeks, Mr Burnham will face an unenviable in-tray filled with unexploded political bombs. These include the pending 'reset' relationship with the European Union, the ongoing row about defence spending, and starting planning for the next Budget. Before then, he must overcome the first hurdle of assembling his first Cabinet, with allies warning it will be his 'first test of character' as he 'lets down his mates' who won't all be able to take top ministerial jobs. Referring to Louise Haigh, the former Transport Secretary who is heading Mr Burnham's preparations for government, including compiling a list of job requests from MPs, they warned: 'I think Lou's going to be quite controversial. I feel quite bad for her, actually.' 'Andy's said he doesn't want to be seen as factional, which will be quite hard [when he announces his Cabinet picks].' The comments below have not been moderated. 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