May elections: Mainstream MPs meet as Burnham allies demand Starmer set departure date

Allies of Andy Burnham have met to discuss how Sir Keir Starmer can be forced to set a timetable for his resignation following catastrophic election results, Sky News understands.

The meeting was of Labour MPs aligned with Mainstream - a centre-left network of activists set up last year to act as a broad church for Labour's progressive left and pile pressure on the government to change course.

Around a dozen MPs are active within the group, which is closely associated with the Greater Manchester Mayor.

The meeting was not at the behest of Mr Burnham, who is expected to keep his head down over the weekend to avoid being drawn into leadership speculation.

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However those who support his politics wanted to come together to discuss a way forward, since questions remain about how to get the former MP back into parliament.

The meeting came as Labour lost hundreds of council seats in England to Reform UK and the Greens while also losing control of the Senedd in Wales. Results are still coming in, but a Sky News projection based on today's vote has found that the UK would have a hung parliament in a general election with Reform as the largest party.

Throughout the day Labour MPs had privately been saying the prime minister needs to go but by the afternoon around a dozen had gone public with their criticism.

Simon Opher, the Labour MP for Stroud and part of Mainstream, told Sky News: "The leadership is loathed, things have got to change, the party has been dominated by a small clique who have brought us to the edge of extinction.

"They owe it to our members to make sure that we set aside pride and ambition, get our best players on the pitch, and begin an orderly transition to a change of leader in the next few months."

Paula Barker and Clive Lewis, also part of Mainstream, urged the prime minister to set a timetable for his departure, with Mr Lewis telling Sky News: "The longer he leaves it the more he will damage the party and its ability to recover and govern."

Socialist Campaign Group MPs Richard Burgon and Ian Byrne echoed that call, with Mr Burgon saying the timetable should be set out by the end of the year. On the soft left, former transport secretary Louise Haigh said Sir Keir "cannot lead us into another election" unless the government delivers significant change.

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Another soft-left source told Sky News: "The solution is obvious: there is one Labour politician who can bring back defectors to our left and right. We all know who it is."

Mr Burnham is the most popular senior Labour figure among the British public and outperforms other potential leadership contenders, polling has suggested.

However, the crucial barrier he faces is how he could get a seat in parliament, having been blocked from standing in February's Gorton and Denton by-election by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC).

The NEC blamed the costs of running an early election for the Manchester mayoralty, which is not due until 2028, and fears that Reform would take it. The Greens went on to win in Gorton and Denton, while Reform came second.

One MP told Sky News that their colleagues have been approaching Mr Burnham, offering to stand down so he can run for parliament - but they want a guarantee that he can't be blocked again and that "cannot be given".

Connor Naismith, the MP for Crewe and Nantwich within the socially Conservative Blue Labour group, urged the NEC to rethink its position.

He is among those calling for the prime minister to set a departure date, and told Sky News: "I think there is an increasing consensus across swathes of the PLP that Andy is an important voice, the most popular Labour voice in the country, that should not be excluded from future discussion about the future of the party and the country.

"If and when a future opportunity arises the NEC should do the right thing and let him run."

But another backer of Mr Burnham said they couldn't see any way he can realistically return to the Commons in the next year - and suggested the prime minister should bring in a new top team if he wants to survive.

"People are pushing Andy because of his number one asset: authenticity. He talks like a normal bloke. That's what's lacking in govt."

Mr Burnham is not planning any media events this weekend and has cancelled a planned appearance at an event in Manchester today.

His allies believe he will want to take stock and avoid questions about how he could return to parliament "while we're being wiped out across the board".

The most immediate danger for the prime minister would be if cabinet ministers called for him to go - something which triggered the collapse of Boris Johnson's government.

However several senior figures have come out in support of Sir Keir including housing secretary Steve Reed, deputy prime minister David Lammy, and technology secretary Liz Kendall.

Quitting 'would plunge country into chaos'

The prime minister this morning acknowledged the "very tough" results but vowed to fight on, saying quitting would plunge the country into chaos.

He has made clear that if anyone gets the backing of the 81 MPs needed to challenge him, he will stand against them.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner are the two figures considered able to muster that level of support. One MP told Sky News "team Wes" was canvassing support this week.

However most believe he won't fire the starting gun and will only make a move if Ms Rayner goes first - and many believe that won't happen.

On the health secretary gathering support, one MP said: "He might be saying 'I'm ready if anyone starts it', but I don't think he will and I don't think anyone else will."

(c) Sky News 2026: May elections: Mainstream MPs meet as Burnham allies demand Starmer set departure date