A clear majority of Keir Starmer’s cabinet believe it is now inevitable Andy Burnham will take over as prime minister, according to people familiar with the thinking of more than 15 cabinet ministers, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday.

However, as of late in the afternoon, most remained unwilling to do anything about it. Most the cabinet was still not ready to tell Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure, the people said, preferring to wait and see how developments unfold.

Starmer held a series of telephone conversations with his senior ministers throughout the day to gauge their positions, they added. One, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, did tell Starmer that he should go, and more could follow suit.

But the key question remained – will the cabinet move decisively against him in the coming hours or days?

Meanwhile, Burnham does not intend to launch an immediate leadership challenge, people familiar with his plans said.

The scale of victory over Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in Makerfield proves Burnham is best placed to lead Labour against the populist right, they added, arguing that the longer Starmer tries to resist the more damaging his exit will be.