Ministers within the UK government are expressing strong discontent over plans that would keep Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister until 2027. Some officials have labeled the proposal as 'bats*', reflecting their frustration with the idea of Starmer remaining in office for an extended period. Allies of Starmer assert that he has no intention of resigning before the Labour Party conference in September and is unlikely to do so before Christmas. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, known as the 'King of the North', is viewed as a potential successor, but his campaign faces hurdles, particularly concerning Labour's 2024 manifesto promise not to raise income tax, national insurance, or VAT. Burnham's campaign has been ambiguous on tax commitments, with previous support for increasing the top income tax rate to 50p. He is currently focused on the Makerfield by-election, scheduled for June 18**, where he aims to advocate for local issues and bring his experience from Greater Manchester to a national platform.