Keir Starmer expected to resign as UK prime minister on Monday after Labour revolt
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce his resignation on Monday, succumbing to overwhelming pressure from his own party after rival Andy Burnham won a by-election and more than 100 Labour MPs demanded his departure.
By-election triggers crisis
Keir Starmer's grip on power unravelled after Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election on Thursday 19 June. Burnham is now the clear favourite to succeed Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister. He will be formally sworn in as an MP on Monday, a necessary step before any leadership bid.
Starmer had insisted on Friday that he would fight to stay in office, but the weekend brought a cascade of defections. By Sunday, more than 100 Labour MPs (roughly a quarter of the parliamentary party) were publicly calling for his resignation. The Guardian reported that Starmer "should announce Monday that he will resign as Prime Minister after overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs to make way for Andy Burnham."
Cabinet ministers demand departure
Senior cabinet figures turned against the prime minister. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was among those who urged Starmer to set a date for leaving 10 Downing Street, according to Sky News. Business Minister Peter Kyle told Sky News that Starmer was "taking time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities he faces" after what Kyle described as a "frank" conversation with the prime minister on Friday.
Starmer spent the weekend at Chequers, the prime ministerial country residence, consulting a narrow circle of allies. The Observer reported that he would "set a timetable for his departure" and that most ministers he contacted told him he needed to establish a resignation schedule.
Trump weighs in
US President Donald Trump took Starmer's resignation as a given on Sunday, writing on Truth Social: "Keir Starmer is going to resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He has failed miserably on two very important subjects - IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (DRILL FOR NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him the best!" Trump has repeatedly attacked Starmer in recent months.
A troubled premiership
Starmer entered Downing Street on 5 July 2024 after a sweeping Labour election victory, promising to fix a country he called "broken" by 14 years of Conservative rule. Two years later, the UK still faces a sluggish economy, rising living costs and strained public services, especially the NHS. His government has been dogged by scandals: deputy leader Angela Rayner was forced out in September 2025, and the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington ended in dismissal after nine months. Starmer's personal unpopularity is widely seen by Labour MPs as the main obstacle to the party's recovery.
What happens next
Downing Street insisted on Sunday that Starmer's position remained unchanged from Friday, but British media are unanimous that a resignation announcement is imminent. The Guardian suggests Starmer will stay in office until at least the end of summer, with a new leader to be chosen at the Labour party conference in late September. Burnham, the most popular politician in Britain according to polls, is the overwhelming favourite to take over.
- Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election, becoming favourite to succeed Starmer.
- Starmer insists he will fight to stay in power; senior ministers begin urging him to set a departure date.
- Starmer consults allies at Chequers; over 100 Labour MPs call for his resignation.
- Expected resignation announcement; Burnham to be sworn in as MP.
- Starmer likely to remain in office until at least the end of summer.
- Labour party conference expected to select new leader.
