What happens next after Keir Starmer's resignation and timetable to replace Prime Minister

What happens next after Keir Starmer's resignation and timetable to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had asked Labour’s governing body - the National Executive Committee (NEC) - to set out a timetable to elect the party’s next leader and country's Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced today he had told the King he will resign as Prime Minister in an emotional statement to the nation outside No10. Bowing to intense pressure from MPs and the senior members of the Cabinet, Mr Starmer said he would step down when a new leader of the Labour Party is in place. In an address outside Downing Street - almost two years after Labour’s landslide general election victory - the Prime Minister said his party had asked “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”. The PM said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.” In a rare show of emotion, with his voice cracking, Mr Starmer concluded: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.” It comes just hours before Andy Burnham - the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor who has made clear his ambition for the top job - prepares to return to Westminster after his victory at last week’s Makerfield by-election. Here The Mirror looks at what could happen next - and the possible timetable. Nominations for new Labour leader to open in July Keir Starmer said he had asked Labour’s governing body - the National Executive Committee (NEC) - to set out a timetable to elect the party’s next leader. He said nominations for a new leader will open on July 9 - in just over a fortnight - and close at the start of summer recess on July 16. The PM said today: “In the case of a contest this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September. I will remain in post as Prime Minister until a contest is complete and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.” Will there be a leadership contest? The exact timing of the PM’s departure from No10 is out of his hands because it is far from certain there will be a leadership contest. Allies of Andy Burnham - considered the frontrunner to replace the PM - want there to be a coronation-style handover of power to the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor. In this scenario, Mr Burnham, who today confirmed he will run, could become leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister by mid-July. But it would require no other ambitious Labour MP rivals to throw their hats into the ring. In a major boost to team Burnham - just an hour after the PM's resignation - the former Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would back him for the top job.. Mr Streeting had repeatedly said he would stand in any contest and called for a "battle of ideas" in Labour as it chooses its next leader. But today he threw his weight behind the so-called 'King of the North', saying: "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”. What happens if there is a contest? Those wishing to stand to be the next leader will have to secure the backing of 20% - around 81 MPs - of the Parliamentary Labour Party. There are other hurdles including union and local Labour party nominations to win a place on the ballot. The candidates would then likely take place in a series of hustings across the country over the summer months before ballot papers are sent to party members. A special conference to announce the winner would then likely be arranged for late summer. A contender would be declared the winner if they get more than 50% of first preferences, and this usually happens through a process of elimination during rounds of voting. As the Prime Minister said this morning, this process would likely be completed in time for the return of Parliament after the summer recess in September. So, when will there be a new Prime Minister? In short, if there is no leadership contest and a coronation-style handover of power to Mr Burnham, expect to see the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor in Downing Street by July 17. If there is a contest, a new Prime Minister would be in post by September 1 when Parliament returns after the summer recess.