The Papers: 'Starmer sabotages Burnham' and 'Best of buddies'

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'Starmer sabotages Burnham' and 'Best of buddies'9 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google"Starmer sabotages Burnham on Brexit" is the Daily Telegraph's lead story. It writes that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "has raised the prospect of rejoining the EU" while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham "seeks to keep Leave voters on side", despite his "previous desire to reverse the 2016 referendum". Sir Keir has been seeking closer ties with the bloc but has stuck to Labour's election manifesto pledges to "stay outside the EU", with "no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement".

"I won't walk away" is how the Daily Mirror quotes Sir Keir in its headline, describing his message to Labour colleagues as "defiant". It reports the prime minister "rejects call to set out departure timetable", despite pressure from some Labour MPs and senior ministers. The front page also embeds a photograph showing Alan Titchmarsh, David Beckham and King Charles III at the Chelsea Flower Show, with the caption "best of buddies".

The Details

The Financial Times leads with Burnham's pledge to "reassure markets he will not rip up the UK's fiscal rules", despite his economic plans to "reverse privatisation and austerity". It writes that his remarks "attempted to reassure investors that he would not embark on irresponsible borrowing policies" ahead of the by-election in Makerfield, where he's hoping to be selected as a candidate to replace outgoing MP Josh Simons. Reporting on Burnham's remarks about the fiscal rules and Brexit, the Daily Mail declares Burnham made "two u-turns in one day".

It details the latest episode under a red banner that reads "Labour's civil war". The Times leads with polling conducted by YouGov suggesting that Burnham would win "59 per cent of the membership vote against 37 per cent who would back the prime minister" in a "head-to-head leadership contest". Meanwhile, it writes that Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has floated lifting the age of criminal responsibility "from ten to as high as 14" in England and Wales.

The government is also eyeing Scotland's law "where children cannot be charged with criminal offences before they turn 12", the paper reports. Burnham says "Labour must change to regain trust", the Guardian reports in its headline story. In his remarks "he would make his fight" about "national issues where Labour was failing, in a direct challenge to the prime minister".

"Britons want to keep pension triple lock," the Daily Express says, citing a survey that suggested "66% back the financial guarantee" where the state pension rises in line with either inflation, wage increases or 2. 5%, whichever is the highest. "UK's stripped back high-speed link set to become the most expensive rail line in the world," the i Paper reports.

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