Nick Thomas-Symonds: Crown Andy Burnham in July.

It was rumoured that Sir Keir Starmer would step down as prime minister, but when it actually happened yesterday, it seemed real and surreal. Watching Sir Keir stand there at his lectern outside at Number 10, one could easily think it was a dream. And you would wake up, and Sir Keir would still be prime minister, and all would be well with the world. But it wasn't Sir Keir who was telling the world he was going. He, like Theresa May before him, said it had been an honour serving the country "He loved". Sir Keir said he had listened to cabinet ministers and had decided to resign for the good of the party and the country. He said not being the prime minister would give him time to be with his wife, Victoria and his children. Sir Keir said Victoria had been his rock, and like Theresa May during her resignation speech, he wobbled and held back the tears as anybody would. Whether you like the outgoing prime minister or not, everyone is human, and Sir Keir is no exception.

At the end of his resignation speech, Victoria, who had stood off camera, walked towards him and hugged him. Then they both disappeared back into No 10. Many say Sir Keir does not appear to be an emotional man. His barrister training before he became an MP and Prime Minister coloured his actions and the way he spoke.

However, Sir Keir was capable of humour when jousting with Kemi Badenoch in parliament. Observers say they saw him emotional when watching his beloved Arsenal, something he has in common with Piers Morgan. So, beyond all that, forensic Vulcan-style logic was an emotional human being after all.

Sir Keir will see out the fag end of his Prime Ministership until July. Then two things could happen: Either Andy Burnham will be crowned metaphorically as leader of the Labour Party and prime minister, or he will face a challenge from others.

Paymaster General and Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds wants others not to challenge Andy Burnham. So the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham will be smooth. Mr. Thomas-Symonds thinks potential rivals to Burnham should get behind him. Nick Thomas-Symonds believes that, as Burnham won Makerfield and put Reform in second place, he is the only man capable of beating Nigel Farage in the future.

As much as Nick Thomas-Symonds MP for Tofaen in Wales doesn't want others to stand against Andy Burnham, some might. It's not just Wes Streeting, Ed Miliband, or Angela Rayner. Two cabinet ministers, it is said, are considering throwing their hats into the ring to make sure Burnham's road to No 10 isn't smooth. Namely, cabinet minister Darren Jones and the Armed Forces Minister Al Carns.

Another reason Nick Thomas-Symonds wants Burnham to be declared prime minister in July is Burnham's 9-year record in charge of Greater Manchester. Now there will be supporters who will think Burnham did a "great job," as Trump would say, when Burnham was mayor. Others will have a different view, and while not necessarily haters (though there will be those too!), some will not approve of everything that Andy did. And that's only to be expected.

A picture appeared of Burnham in the Guild Hall with him and a large number of Labour MPs posing for a very large selfie on the front of a well- known newspaper. Was that just a pic of Burnham supporters, or was it his party declaring that his way to power will not have any bumps in the road from challengers? I'm sure Burnham and his supporters will be doing backroom deals so that any potential challengers do not block his way to power. Probably offering them influential cabinet posts so they can be at his side around the cabinet with him as he makes decisions.

"The King of the North", as Burnham has been labelled, must now be king in his court in Downing Street (if he inherits Sir Keir's job). If Burnham is to succeed, he must keep all in his party onside and, most importantly, the country. Otherwise, he will go the way of Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham always wanted to be the leader of the Labour Party and prime minister. So again, to quote Trump, "Let's see what happens"!!!

One final thing, Richard Tice of Reform UK, told Sky News that Andy Burnham should call a general election in 6 months. Maybe he has a point, because if Burnham went to the country to get a mandate and won, then he could move forward with policy, because not only would he have the backing of his party, but the country at large.