Government · London and Manchester
Starmer considers resignation as cabinet mutiny grows after Burnham by-election victory
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the prime minister is reflecting on 'political realities' after Andy Burnham's by-election win, with reports that Starmer could announce a resignation timetable on Monday.
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In brief
Andy Burnham's decisive victory on Thursday gives him a parliamentary seat, enabling a formal challenge to Keir Starmer's Labour leadership.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle says the prime minister is taking time to think through the changed political landscape, marking a sharp shift from his earlier vow to fight.
Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood and Heidi Alexander are among senior figures who have told Starmer his time is up, according to reports.
Reports say Starmer could set out a timetable for his departure as soon as Monday, ahead of a Tuesday cabinet deadline and the threat of mass ministerial resignations.
More than 100 Labour parliamentarians have called for Starmer to step aside, with further defections expected when Parliament returns on Monday.
If Starmer goes, Burnham is widely expected to become Labour leader and prime minister, given the party's large parliamentary majority.
- 20 JunReports emerge that Starmer is discussing resignation with his wife at Chequers.
- 21 JunBusiness Secretary Peter Kyle says Starmer is reflecting on 'political realities'; cabinet ministers urge him to set an exit timetable.
- 23 JunTuesday cabinet meeting deadline: Starmer risks mass resignations if he does not announce a departure plan.
The trigger: Burnham's by-election win
Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with a decisive margin, nearly doubling Labour's majority and securing a parliamentary seat from which to mount a leadership challenge. In his victory speech, Burnham warned the party had a "final chance to change".
Starmer's defiant stance crumbles
On Friday morning, Starmer told reporters he would fight any contest.
“If there is a contest, I will stand, and I've said repeatedly I'm not going to walk away.”
Cabinet ministers turn
Business Secretary Peter Kyle, a close ally, told the BBC on Sunday that Starmer was "taking the time to think through what the political realities are today compared to last week."
“The prime minister was calm. He was thoughtful. He led the conversation. He was thinking about what is best for the country.”
Timeline of the crisis
What happens next
Starmer faces a Tuesday morning cabinet deadline to announce a departure plan or risk a wave of ministerial resignations. If he resigns, Burnham is widely expected to become Labour leader and prime minister. The UK would have its seventh prime minister in a decade.
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Sources and context
- The New York TimesKeir Starmer Reflects on 'Political Challenges' as Pressure to Resign Mounts
- ReutersUK minister says Starmer is considering 'political realities' as position under threat
- The GuardianThe business secretary knows about jobs, and seems pretty sure Keir is out of one
- The IndependentStarmer on the brink: PM considering resigning, confirms senior cabinet minister
- Keir Starmer
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, under pressure to resign.
- Andy Burnham
- Former Mayor of Greater Manchester, newly elected MP, poised to challenge for Labour leadership.
- Peter Kyle
- Business Secretary and long-time ally of Keir Starmer.
- Yvette Cooper
- Foreign Secretary who has told Starmer to set an exit timetable.
- Ed Miliband
- Energy Secretary who has urged Starmer to step down.
- Heidi Alexander
- Transport Secretary who told Starmer his time is up.
- Shabana Mahmood
- Home Secretary who has called for Starmer to set a departure timetable.
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- London
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