Sunday, June 21st 2026 - 21:39 UTC
Starmer would be the sixth head of government to leave office in a decade
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing his political future as pressure grows within the Labour Party for him to announce his resignation, following Andy Burnham's victory in last week's Makerfield by-election.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said Sunday that Starmer was “reflecting on the political realities” he faces. Kyle, an ally of the prime minister, said he had spoken with him on Friday and was sure any decision would reflect “what's in the best interests of the country.” The prime minister spent the weekend at Chequers, the country residence of British heads of government, with his family.
Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, comfortably defeated the Reform UK candidate on Thursday and increased Labour's majority, reversing a run of electoral losses. Now eligible to sit as a lawmaker, he is positioned to formally challenge Starmer for the party leadership. He is due to be sworn in at Westminster on Monday.
