Starmer considers resignation after Burnham by-election win, cabinet ally says he is reflecting on 'political realities'
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the prime minister is 'taking the time to think through what the political realities are' after Andy Burnham's by-election victory cleared a path for a leadership challenge.
Pressure mounts after by-election
Keir Starmer is facing the most acute crisis of his leadership after Andy Burnham's thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election on 19 June. The Greater Manchester mayor secured a majority of nearly 10,000, comfortably more than the combined vote of Reform UK and Restore Britain. In the immediate aftermath, Starmer insisted he would not walk away, but over the weekend the number of Labour MPs calling for his resignation topped 100, just under a quarter of the parliamentary party.
A weekend of reflection at Chequers
Starmer retreated to the prime minister's country residence, Chequers, with his wife Victoria to consider his future. Allies who had previously dismissed talk of his departure now concluded it was "game over". One ally told the New Statesman that Starmer had learned not to rush decisions:
The prime minister was said to be resentful that those who had undermined him for months were now suggesting he would cause chaos by staying.Some of his worst decisions have been taken to meet the demands of certain news cycles.
Hang on, it's not me who started this, it's them!
Cabinet loyalist signals shift
On Sunday, Business Secretary Peter Kyle twice refused to rule out that Starmer would announce his resignation on Monday. He told the BBC:
Kyle said he had a "frank conversation" with Starmer on Friday and that the prime minister was "very mindful of the interests of the country". No 10 maintained that Starmer's position was unchanged, but the tone from his most loyal ministers had unmistakably shifted.I don't want to come on here and be delusional that there is no process, there are no forces at work which are challenging the prime minister as leader - that is clearly the case.
Trump predicts resignation
US President Donald Trump posted on social media that "Keir Starmer will resign", attacking his record on immigration and energy policy and repeating calls to "open North Sea oil". No 10 confirmed the two leaders had not spoken over the weekend. The intervention added an international dimension to an already febrile atmosphere in Westminster.
What happens next
Starmer had not reached a final decision by Sunday evening, but the widespread expectation is that he will set out a timetable for his departure on Monday. A formal leadership contest would take around six weeks, and some Labour MPs fear the accompanying disagreements could further damage the party's prospects and create uncertainty for markets. The country is now heading towards its seventh prime minister in 10 years.
- Starmer insists he will resist any attempt to unseat him.
- Burnham wins Makerfield by-election; Starmer says he will not walk away.
- Starmer retreats to Chequers with wife Victoria to reflect.
- Peter Kyle says Starmer is reflecting on political realities; Trump posts about resignation.
- Expected announcement of resignation timetable.
