Trump claims Starmer will resign as UK PM amid mounting Labour pressure
Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Keir Starmer will resign as UK prime minister, citing failures on immigration and energy, as British media report growing calls for Starmer to step down.
Trump's intervention
On Sunday, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Keir Starmer "will resign from the role of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom." He accused Starmer of a "great failure" on immigration and energy, adding in capitals: "OPEN THE NORTH SEA OIL FIELDS!" Trump added that he wishes Starmer well. It is unclear whether the US president has inside information or is referencing media reports; according to PA Media, the two leaders have not spoken since the G7 summit in France earlier in the week.
Keir Starmer will resign from the role of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He suffered a great failure on two very important issues: IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN THE NORTH SEA OIL FIELDS!)
Mounting domestic pressure
Starmer faces a deepening crisis within his own Labour Party. On Friday, his main rival Andy Burnham won a by-election in Makerfield, northern England, opening a path to formally challenge for the leadership. The Observer reported on Saturday that Starmer is preparing to step down and may announce his decision as soon as Monday. Sky News said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper privately urged him to resign, while the Guardian named climate minister Ed Miliband, home secretary Shabana Mahmood, and transport secretary Heidi Alexander as sending similar signals. Labour rules require 81 MPs to trigger a leadership contest; Burnham could reportedly count on over 200 declarations.
Government response
Downing Street denied the resignation reports. A spokesman referred to Starmer's statement from Friday: "There is still much to do and that's what I'm focusing on - what I was elected to do, serving my country." Starmer is currently at Chequers with his family.
There is still much to do and that's what I'm focusing on - what I was elected to do, serving my country.
US-UK tensions
Trump had initially expressed friendship toward Starmer, but relations soured after the Iran war, with Trump repeatedly expressing disappointment over insufficient British support. He has also criticized UK plans to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, which hosts the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. Trump's latest post continues his long-standing criticism of British energy policy, including restrictions on North Sea oil and gas licensing and the expansion of wind farms.
- Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election, strengthening his Labour leadership bid
- The Observer reports Starmer is preparing to resign and may announce on Monday
- Trump posts on Truth Social predicting Starmer's resignation and criticizing his policies
- Starmer may announce resignation timeline, according to media speculation
