𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Ed Miliband privately suggested to Sir Keir Starmer that he should set out a timeline for his departure from No 10, according to reports. The Energy Secretary and former Labour leader is said to have made the suggestion to the Prime Minister during a private meeting about a fortnight ago.

There has been ongoing speculation that Sir Keir will be forced out by Labour MPs in the wake of the local elections, which are expected to be a bloodbath for Labour. Mr Miliband is said to remain supportive of the PM but fears Labour could descend into civil war unless he announces a timetable for his resignation.

A spokesman for Mr Miliband refused to comment on “private conversations”. But he told The Times: “We do not accept this account.”

He did not dispute that the talks had taken place and declined to say how the accounts differed.

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeing and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham are viewed as frontrunners to replace Sir Keir.

It comes as dire results have been predicted for Labour in the local elections, with some 1,850 seats expected to be lost in councils across England, according to polling guru Lord Robert Hayward.

The party is also set to be ousted from power in Wales for the first time in history.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged the ballots will be “a challenge” but in a final plea to voters he urged them to “choose unity over division”.