Sir Keir Starmer's grip on power is slipping rapidly, with reports emerging that he may announce his resignation as Prime Minister as early as Monday. The sudden shift in fortunes comes after Andy Burnham's surprise by-election victory in Makerfield, which has sparked a wave of concern among senior Labour figures about Sir Keir's continued leadership.
The Prime Minister is expected to outline the timeline for his departure from Downing Street in a speech on Monday, as pressure mounts from within his own party. Sources close to Number 10, including Cabinet ministers, advisers, and senior party figures, have reportedly informed Sir Keir that his position has become increasingly untenable due to a series of policy reversals, controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson, and recent spates of resignations from within his government.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle, a key ally of Sir Keir's, refused to rule out the possibility of a resignation when questioned on Sunday. While stopping short of confirming any details, he acknowledged that the Prime Minister was "making time to reflect on the political realities" following a frank conversation with him on Friday.
Sir Keir's tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by significant challenges, including struggles with policy implementation and poor election results. Should he resign, he would become the shortest-serving Labour Prime Minister in history, raising questions about his ability to lead the party. His leadership has faced intense scrutiny from within the Parliamentary Labour Party, which has cited policy reversals such as on winter fuel payments and welfare cuts as early indicators of his struggles.
A resignation would trigger a Labour leadership contest, with Andy Burnham emerging as a strong contender. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has already indicated he would enter a leadership race, is also seen as a potential candidate, along with former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Further speculation on Sunday suggested that Rachel Reeves could lose her position as Chancellor of the Exchequer if Sir Keir were to resign and Mr. Burnham became Prime Minister. The Sunday Times reported that Ed Miliband has been mooted as a potential replacement for Chancellor, but Sharon Graham, General Secretary of the influential Unite trade union, has urged Mr. Burnham to avoid appointing him due to his strong commitment to net zero policies.