{"text":[[{"start":12,"text":"An emotional Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, clearing the way for the “coronation” of Andy Burnham as Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade."}],[{"start":21.7,"text":"Addressing the nation from outside Number 10 on Monday morning, Starmer announced an end to his six years as Labour leader and two years as prime minister."}],[{"start":30.95,"text":"Within two hours, it became almost certain that Starmer would be succeeded by Burnham, after his main rival Wes Streeting said he would not compete to become Labour leader."}],[{"start":41.15,"text":"Streeting, former health secretary, said he had talked at length to the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor, fuelling speculation that he may strike a deal for a top job in a Burnham cabinet."}],[{"start":53.349999999999994,"text":"“We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs,” Streeting said."}],[{"start":65.5,"text":"He urged the rest of the party to agree to what would be in effect a coronation of Burnham next month."}],[{"start":72.85,"text":"There has been speculation that Streeting, who comes from the right of the party, might be offered a senior role, even the post of chancellor. Ed Miliband, energy secretary, is seen as another contender for that position."}],[{"start":87.39999999999999,"text":"A spokesperson for Burnham said of the talks with Streeting: “No deal done or job offered.” "}],[{"start":93.3,"text":"A Streeting aide said: “There’s no deal. He has done this because it’s the best way forward for the country.”"}],[{"start":99.35,"text":"Starmer, his voice breaking at times, said he accepted the verdict of Labour MPs that he was not the best person to lead the party into the next election. “I accept that answer with good grace,” he said."}],[{"start":113.14999999999999,"text":"The prime minister announced a timetable for the transfer of power which could see Burnham enter Downing Street as soon as July 17 if no other Labour MP challenges him for the crown."}],[{"start":123.69999999999999,"text":"Burnham issued a statement on X praising Starmer for his “huge service to our country” and looking forward to an “orderly and responsible” transfer of power."}],[{"start":133.39999999999998,"text":"“People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation,” he said."}],[{"start":141.45,"text":"Starmer was cheered by his Downing Street staff as he made his farewell statement, his voice cracking as he said he wanted to be “the best dad to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy”."}],[{"start":153,"text":"He said he had rescued Labour after its disastrous 2019 election defeat, made the party electable and delivered a series of reforms after his landslide election victory in July 2024."}],[{"start":165.95,"text":"Starmer listed economic recovery, improvements to workers’ rights, falling hospital waiting lists, cuts to illegal migration and a reduction in child poverty among his government’s achievements."}],[{"start":177.79999999999998,"text":"But the prime minister’s fortunes had been darkening over the past two years after a spate of damaging U-turns – including on reducing winter fuel payments for pensioners – drained his political authority and he faced an increasing threat from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK."}],[{"start":193.54999999999998,"text":"Starmer’s position appeared to become untenable last month after the party’s disastrous local election results in Scotland, Wales and more than 130 English councils pitched Labour MPs into acute despair."}],[{"start":207.14999999999998,"text":"The prime minister spent the weekend contemplating his future with his wife, Victoria Starmer, but concluded that he had lost the confidence of his cabinet and parliamentary party. "}],[{"start":217.24999999999997,"text":"Burnham will take his seat as an MP at Westminster on Monday afternoon after his momentous victory in the Makerfield by-election last week."}],[{"start":225.69999999999996,"text":"He is seen by Labour MPs as a popular and effective antidote to Reform and the party is now expected to turn to him as its new leader and prime minister. "}],[{"start":235.69999999999996,"text":"The opening of nominations for a new Labour leader on July 9 will allow MPs to hold an “in-person” hustings with the candidate or candidates before the Commons rises for the summer, though no one is expected to challenge Burnham."}],[{"start":248.24999999999997,"text":"Nominations close on July 16, which would mean that if there is no contest — and instead a coronation of Burnham — then the new MP for Makerfield would become prime minister on July 17 or July 18."}],[{"start":261.65,"text":"The EU could postpone a summit with the UK on July 22 after Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister."}],[{"start":268.7,"text":"“We’re reassessing the opportunity of the summit together with the UK given the situation and we’ll take it from there,” an EU official told the FT."}],[{"start":278.2,"text":"Starmer wanted the summit to cement his legacy to rebuild economic ties 10 years after the Brexit referendum, but EU officials are discussing whether it would be better to postpone the event until his successor is ready to attend."}],[{"start":299.05,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1782130659_1664.mp3"}