Image source, PA Media

Tackling the cost of living and forging closer ties with the EU is expected to be at the heart of Keir Starmer's defence of his position as PM.

He tells the Mirror this morning he plans to lead Labour into the next election and serve a full term, continuing a "10-year project of renewal".

This includes a plan for a "stronger economy... that really works for everyone", he says, adding that he will be "full-throated" about the need for closer ties with Brussels.

Young people "should be free to work, study, travel in European countries," he says.

Yesterday, Starmer appointed Labour veterans Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman in advisory roles - in a move that one minister called "a joke".

But Starmer described the roles - focused on global finance and tackling misogyny - as "very future-looking".

On Monday, Starmer will give a major speech, including on the UK's relationship with the EU. Then on Wednesday, the government will set out planned legislation in the King's Speech.

Former council leader in St Helens, Anthony Burns, says he "knew [Thursday] was going to be a tough day" - but "not to that extent".

Reform UK claimed 34 of the 48 seats that make up the council - having previously held none. Labour had run the council since 1974.

Burns also lost his own seat to Reform in the Blackbrook ward.

"This was a local election [that was] unfortunately fought on the national picture," he tells BBC Breakfast.

Asked explicitly whether Starmer needs to go "soon", he says: "We need to see change, the people are saying that."

On Andy Burnham as a possible leadership rival, Burns says: "You can see that charisma he has with the people, and that's the bit that's missing [with Starmer]."

Burnham would first need to secure a Westminster seat before standing in a leadership contest.

"Hopefully we can get something moving pretty quickly in time to make a difference before next year," he says.

Image source, Getty Images

As Nick Eardley just reported, some Labour MPs want Catherine West to call off her leadership challenge, in order to give Andy Burnham the time to replace Keir Starmer.

But how does the Greater Manchester mayor fit into this?

A challenger wishing to oust Keir Starmer would have to be supported by at least 20% of Labour MPs (currently 81 people). And crucially, they would have to be an MP themselves.

This would rule out Burnham.

Earlier this year, he tried to become an MP, but was blocked by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

So to challenge the prime minister, he would need to stand in another by-election and re-enter the House of Commons.

Around 20 of Burnham's supporters so far have publicly called for Starmer to announce a timetable for his departure.

If he does so, the NEC - the theory goes - would no longer block Burnham from returning to Westminster because there would be no leadership challenge to a soon-departing Starmer.

Some Burnham supporters have been trying – so far unsuccessfully – to persuade Catherine West to abandon her plan and adopt theirs instead.

But as one veteran Labour figure told the BBC: "If you want anyone other than Andy you need this to happen sooner rather than later."

The prospect of a leadership challenge is now front and centrepublished at 07:33 BST

07:33 BST

Nick Eardley
Political correspondent

Sunday won't be much of a day of rest for the Labour Party this week.

Catherine West's bombshell intervention last night on Radio 4 has put the prospect of a leadership challenge front and centre this morning.

Plenty of Labour MPs think her plan is madness and irresponsible. There are also those who back Andy Burnham who are hoping West calls her bid off - because they want their man back in Parliament before any leadership contest.

But there are also many Labour MPs who are deeply unhappy with the current situation.

Might they be tempted over the next 24 hours to back Catherine West in an effort to force the leadership question? Perhaps.

For those more established Labour figures weighing up their own challenge, could this force them to act? There's no sign of that just yet.

But things could change if it looks like West will get the backing of 81 MPs - enough to force a leadership vote.

• The SNP won a fifth consecutive Scottish Parliament election, with 58 seats - down six from last time. But they failed to achieve the 65 needed for a majority
• Labour lost four seats, down to 17. Reform also won 17, from zero
• The Scottish Greens and Lib Dems both gained six, ending with 15 and 10 respectively
• The Conservatives lost 19, leaving them with 12 seats

• In the Welsh Parliament, Plaid Cymru are the biggest party with 43 seats, but came short of the 49 needed for a majority
• Reform UK won 34 - they had none in the 2021 election. The Green Party have two seats and the Lib Dems one
• Labour, who had been in power in the Senedd for 27 years, were 35 seats down, with just nine seats
• The Conservatives lost 22 seats, leaving them with seven

• In English local elections, Reform gained 1,451 councillors
• Labour lost 1,496, compared to the previous set of elections
• The Lib Dems picked up 155 new councillors, while the Conservatives lost 563
• The Greens gained 441 councillors

You can pick through all the results in Scotland, Wales, and England via the banner at the top of the page

Image source, Getty Images

A Labour leadership election is triggered if the leader resigns or if 20% of MPs put forward another candidate.

That means 81 Labour MPs would have to nominate a challenger to Keir Starmer’s leadership.

As we have just reported, Catherine West says she has 10 MPs willing to back her - but she is "confident" enough MPs will come forward if needed.

Some MPs have told us she has no chance of getting the MPs she would need.

One minister - who is critical of Starmer - told the BBC West was "mad" while a former frontbencher declared her move as "bonkers".

But others - including an ally of the prime minister - think she might cross the threshold

"The frustration on the backbenches runs far wider than the voices we've heard from publicly," one MP says.

Challenge Starmer by Monday, or I will - that's the ultimatum Labour MP Catherine West issued to Keir Starmer's cabinet yesterday.

If a minister doesn't make a move, she will attempt to trigger a leadership contest herself, she said yesterday.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, she said her preferred option was for the cabinet to put forward their "best communicator" to replace Starmer, avoiding a leadership election.

If they don't do that by Monday, she will seek the support of 81 Labour MPs - the number needed to challenge Starmer as leader.

West, a former junior Foreign Office minister, said she already had 10 MPs prepared to back her, but she was "confident" enough people would come forward to trigger a contest.

This morning, West is speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg from 09:00 BST, alongside Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, shadow housing secretary James Cleverly, Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iowerth.

You'll be able to watch live on this page - and our writers will being you all the key lines and analysis.