Keir Starmer set to resign as UK PM on Monday, reports say
Synopsis
Keir Starmer, who had long vowed to fight any leadership challenge, is now reportedly preparing to announce his resignation as UK Prime Minister on Monday after losing the backing of ministers, party funders, and trade union leaders — with Andy Burnham's by-election surge making the arithmetic impossible to ignore.
Key Takeaways
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly set to resign on Monday, 23 June 2025 , according to British media reports.
Starmer is said to be preparing a timetable for an orderly departure from Downing Street after losing support from ministers, party funders, and trade union leaders.
A source told The Observer that 'the support isn't there' and the situation is 'no longer a sustainable proposition.' Support for rival Andy Burnham among Labour MPs surged following his victory in the Makerfield by-election last week.
Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said Starmer is 'reflecting on the political realities' but stopped short of confirming or denying a resignation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to resign on Monday, 23 June 2025, with British media reporting that he is drawing up a timetable for an orderly departure from Downing Street. The development marks a dramatic reversal for a leader who had long insisted he would resist any challenge to his position.
Why Starmer Is Stepping Down
According to The Observer, Starmer has concluded that his position is untenable following a series of conversations over the past two days with government ministers, party funders, and trade union leaders. A source cited by the paper said Starmer 'has come up hard against the reality that the support isn't there.' The source added: 'The truth is, everyone knows this is no longer a sustainable proposition. There's a sadness to it all, of course, but sometimes there's just an inevitability in politics and as Boris Johnson said: ‘When the herd moves, it moves.’'
Burnham's Rise Accelerates the Crisis
The immediate trigger for the collapse in support is reportedly the surge in backing for Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, as a rival candidate for the Labour leadership. Burnham's support among Members of Parliament increased sharply following his triumphant victory in the Makerfield by-election last week, according to reports. The by-election result has widely been read as a verdict on Starmer's leadership within the party.
What the Government Said
British Trade Secretary Peter Kyle offered the clearest public signal yet of the prime minister's state of mind when he told Sky News on Saturday morning that Starmer was spending the weekend 'reflecting on the political realities' he faces. Kyle declined to offer guidance on Starmer's plans, and when asked directly whether the Prime Minister intended to resign on Monday, Kyle replied that he had 'no reason to believe so' — while notably stopping short of a firm denial.
Kyle confirmed he had spoken at length with Starmer on Friday and said he was 'certain' that the Prime Minister had held 'conversations with a very wide range of people, including myself, and that he is working very hard this weekend.' He added: 'I believe he is taking time to reflect on the political realities, challenges, and opportunities he faces.'
What Happens Next
If Starmer does step down on Monday, the Labour Party would enter a formal leadership contest. Burnham is currently seen as the frontrunner, though no official candidacy has been declared. A change at Downing Street would set off a period of political uncertainty in the UK at a time when the government faces significant domestic and foreign policy pressures. The coming hours are expected to be decisive.
Point of View
And Burnham read it faster than Downing Street did. What is striking is the speed of collapse: from defiant incumbent to reportedly timetabling a departure within days. The deeper question for Labour is whether a Burnham leadership resolves the ideological tension between the party's metropolitan base and its traditional working-class heartlands, or merely defers it.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigning?
According to British media reports, Starmer is expected to resign on Monday, 23 June 2025, and is reportedly preparing a timetable for an orderly exit from Downing Street. The reports follow two days of conversations with ministers, party funders, and trade union leaders in which Starmer reportedly concluded his position was untenable.
Why is Keir Starmer stepping down?
Starmer is said to have lost the support of key figures within the Labour Party, including government ministers, party funders, and trade union leaders. A source cited by The Observer said 'the support isn't there' and described the situation as 'no longer a sustainable proposition.' The surge in support for Andy Burnham following the Makerfield by-election is reported to have accelerated the crisis.
Who is Andy Burnham and why is he relevant?
Andy Burnham is the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a senior Labour figure. His support among Labour MPs has grown significantly after his victory in the Makerfield by-election last week, positioning him as the leading candidate to succeed Starmer as Labour leader and potentially as Prime Minister.
What did Trade Secretary Peter Kyle say about Starmer's plans?
Kyle told Sky News on Saturday that Starmer was spending the weekend 'reflecting on the political realities' he faces. When asked directly if Starmer planned to resign on Monday, Kyle said he had 'no reason to believe so' but did not offer a firm denial, and declined to dismiss the possibility of an imminent change at Downing Street.
What happens to the UK government if Starmer resigns?
If Starmer resigns, the Labour Party would enter a formal leadership contest to choose his successor. Andy Burnham is currently seen as the frontrunner. A change in leadership would trigger a period of political transition and uncertainty in the UK.
