Potential leadership challengers jostle for positions as PM's allies warn of 'chaos'

The jostling is evident everywhere: from the prime minister's supporters, not least the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, telling BBC Breakfast that a contest would be "plunging the country into chaos at a time when there is conflict in the world, but also at a time when our plan to grow the economy is starting to bear fruit".

Then there is Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, currently marooned outside Parliament and so unable to take part in any immediate leadership race unless he can demonstrate he can get a move on – find a seat, persuade the party to let him stand, and hope that the timeframe of any contest means he can play a part in it.