• Downing Street confirms access talks with potential successors will begin soon • Andy Burnham emerges as clear frontrunner after returning to parliament via by-election LONDON: Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to make the transition of power “as easy as possible”, as two Labour lawmakers considered whether to challenge frontrunner Andy Burnham amid concern about a coronation. Starmer, who announced on Monday he was stepping down after losing the support of his own MPs, has authorised so-called access talks with prospective successors to begin “as soon as possible,” Downing Street said. The PM, in office for almost two years, told his senior ministerial team during their weekly meeting that he wanted an “orderly” handover and whoever replaces him “to succeed”.