New Delhi, June 20 -- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is now facing growing calls to set a timetable for his exit from 10 Downing Street after rival Andy Burnham secured a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a leadership challenge.

An increasing number of Labour MPs are now asking Starmer to announce his plans to hand power to Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, to avert a potentially messy leadership race, the BBC reported on Friday (local time).

Burnham allies have asked the UK PM to reflect over the weekend and pay attention to his cabinet members, MPs, and family. According to the report, Burnham's team and another potential challenger, Wes Streeting, have claimed that they will not be givi...