Keir Starmer’s premiership has collapsed into an all-out civil war with rumours that Andy Burnham’s ‘coronation’ could be scuppered by loyalists to the outgoing PM. The so-called ‘King of the North’ is now the runaway favourite to seize the keys to No 10, having already been anointed by would-be rival Wes Streeting and backed by many Labour MPs.

But Mr Burnham has also been branded a threat to Brexit due to his previous calls to rejoin the bloc, and the EU itself has delayed a planned summit so it can speak to him instead of Sir Keir. The former Greater Manchester Mayor may now face a challenge from Darren Jones, as Starmerite MPs seek to force a public race for the leadership.

Adding to chaos in Westminster, Ed Miliband is reportedly being considered to replace Rachel Reeves as Chancellor in any new-look top team, in a move that would hand the net zero champion control of the nation’s purse strings. The former Labour leader was branded a “lunatic” by former M&S boss and British businessman Lord Stuart Rose just yesterday.