Sir Keir Starmer is expected to set out plans for his departure from Downing Street within hours, following an extraordinary collapse in support that has left his premiership hanging by a thread.
After spending the weekend at Chequers with his family, the Prime Minister is understood to have been weighing what ministers have described as the “political realities” facing his Government. Reports suggest he is now considering an orderly handover of power to Andy Burnham, potentially bringing to an end one of the most turbulent premierships in modern British political history.
If Sir Keir steps aside, Britain would be preparing for its seventh prime minister in just ten years, a remarkable level of political instability that few would have imagined a decade ago.
The dramatic developments come less than two years after Labour secured a landslide general election victory in 2024. Yet what initially appeared to be the start of a long period of Labour dominance has instead descended into internal warfare, public dissatisfaction and a growing sense that the Government has run out of ideas.
Labour’s troubles have been compounded by a series of policy reversals, ministerial controversies and mounting criticism over immigration, the economy, public services and energy policy. Poll ratings have deteriorated sharply, while Labour has suffered significant electoral setbacks and growing pressure from both Reform UK and the Greens.
The catalyst for the latest crisis was Andy Burnham’s commanding victory in last week’s Makerfield by-election. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester returned to Westminster with a decisive mandate and immediately emerged as the overwhelming favourite to replace Sir Keir.
Mr Burnham is due to be formally sworn in as an MP today and is expected to begin discussions with supporters about the next stage of his political future. While no formal leadership contest has yet been launched, many Labour MPs now appear to regard his succession as a matter of when rather than if.
Several reports suggest that senior Cabinet figures have privately concluded that Sir Keir’s position is no longer sustainable. There are claims that some ministers believe he should announce a timetable for his departure before the next Cabinet meeting, amid fears that further resignations could otherwise follow.
Supporters of Mr Burnham are said to favour a managed transition over the summer rather than an immediate change at the top. Under one reported scenario, Sir Keir would remain in office until early autumn, allowing him to attend key international meetings and complete several major diplomatic engagements before formally handing over power.
The uncertainty has also raised questions about the future direction of a Burnham administration. While many Labour MPs see him as a stronger communicator with broader electoral appeal, others have expressed concerns about whether he is fully prepared to move directly from local government leadership into Number 10. Economic policy has already emerged as a potential dividing line within his camp, with advisers reportedly disagreeing over taxation, borrowing and public spending.
Adding an extraordinary international dimension to the drama, US President Donald Trump inserted himself into the debate over the weekend. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump declared that “Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom”, before going on to criticise the Prime Minister’s record on immigration and energy policy. The post attracted global attention because no official resignation announcement had been made at the time. Reports indicate that Mr Trump’s comments were based on media speculation rather than any direct conversation with Sir Keir.
Whether Sir Keir announces a formal departure timetable today or attempts one final effort to cling on to power, the political mood in Westminster appears to have shifted decisively. The Prime Minister who entered Downing Street with a huge majority and promises of stability now finds himself facing the prospect of becoming the latest occupant of Number 10 to be forced out by his own side.
For Labour, the question is no longer simply whether Sir Keir Starmer can survive. It is whether Andy Burnham can succeed where he has failed and convince an increasingly frustrated electorate that Labour still deserves to govern Britain.
