The Papers: 'Burnham will push to be next PM' and 'Dosh and Becks'

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'Burnham will push to be next PM' and 'Dosh and Becks'52 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleThe likelihood of Sir Keir Starmer stepping down and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham fighting to become the next UK prime minister is the focus of this morning's papers. The Daily Telegraph leads with Sir Keir considering "standing down if Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election". According to some ministers loyal to Sir Keir, the PM is keeping "all options" open, the paper reports.

Andy Burnham will reportedly move to become prime minister by autumn, his supporters have told the Guardian. The paper suggests the projected timeline would mean Burnham could address Labour's autumn party conference in Liverpool. The Daily Mail plays on the famous Battle of Waterloo by headlining with "Starmer facing his own Waterloo".

The Details

Labour's Burnham has been "given the green light to fight a by-election", which would likely take place on the battle's anniversary of 18 June, the paper says. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has told the i Paper that Burnham is a "strong candidate" for the Makerfield by-election and that she will campaign for him if he is selected. Burnham's allies believe he will "shift his stance on Brexit to avoid alienating voters", the paper reports.

The Times leads on an £18bn defence boost expected to be approved by the UK PM as he prepares to fight for his political survival. Sir Keir's predicted opponent Andy Burnham, who has been approved by Labour to run in the Makerfield by-election, is pictured in the paper while on a jog in Warrington, Cheshire. The US President has weighed in on the mounting pressure on Sir Keir by saying "it will be tough for him to survive as PM", according to the Independent.

Donald Trump warned that unless Sir Keir "is able to deal with immigration and energy policy", he will struggle, the paper says. The chances of a Labour leadership contest means "parts of the government are at risk of paralysis", ministers have warned, according to the Financial Times. "The business of daily government will have to grind to a halt, and it will just look like limbo," one cabinet minister told the paper.

What Experts Say

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has vowed to give Labour's Andy Burnham "a very nasty shock" by disrupting his hopes of returning to parliament through the Makerfield by-election, the Daily Express reports. Burnham needs to win the by-election to launch a leadership contest against Sir Keir. Meanwhile, Farage has pledged to "throw everything we can" at the by-election, the paper says.

Sir David Beckham has become Britain's first billionaire sportsman, according to the Daily Mirror. The sports star and wife Victoria's fortune has "doubled to £1. 2bn in a year, making them worth twice as much as the King", the paper says.

Similarly, the Daily Star splashes on the Beckhams entering billionaire status with the headline "Dosh and Becks".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.