Sir Keir Starmer is increasingly expected to announce that he will set out a timetable for his departure on Monday, as his leading challenger Andy Burnham arrives in Westminster. The prime minister, who spent the weekend talking over his political future with his family at Chequers, is believed to be preparing to unveil his resignation plan against a backdrop of growing pressure to quit.No 10 has insisted Sir Keir’s position remained unchanged from Friday, when he said he will not “walk away” from Downing Street and will stand in any potential contest. However, The Independent understands that Sir Keir has been discussing a plan to hand over the Labour leadership to Mr Burnham, with the former Mayor of Manchester seeking a transition in September to allow him time to prepare.It follows a weekend of growing discontent from Labour MPs, with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper understood to become the most senior minister to call on Sir Keir to step down. Also, in an extraordinary intervention on Sunday afternoon, US president Donald Trump wrote on social media that the PM will resign after failing on immigration and energy.Sir Keir only broke his silence over the weekend to put out a message on Fathers’ Day. What are the options ahead if Sir Keir announces his resignation on Monday?Monday will see Andy Burnham return to Westminster fresh from his victory in the Makerfield by-election. Labour MPs have been invited to a photo call with the former Greater Manchester mayor to celebrate Mr Burnham’s resounding victory over Reform UK.Mr Burnham is reportedly keen to wait to become prime minister in September after summer recess rather than be crowned imminently. A delayed handover would allow Sir Keir Starmer “to secure his legacy”, one source told The Independent.But some Labour MPs are anxious that the transfer of power takes place sooner, and have suggested as early as mid-July.So what are the options ahead if Sir Keir announces his resignation on Monday? An Andy Burnham coronation or an open Labour leadership contest. Read more here: Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 05:33Starmer expected to announce resignation todaySir Keir Starmer is understood to be discussing a plan to hand over the Labour leadership to Andy Burnham amid a growing belief that he will announce his timetable for departure on Monday.The former Greater Manchester mayor is understood to want to wait to become prime minister until September and a delay would, according to a source, “allow the prime minister to secure his legacy.” The source said that the prime minister is now “working towards” a handover in early September after the summer recess but MPs suggest it could be as early as mid-July.Read the full story here:David Maddox22 June 2026 05:15Trump claims Starmer will resign US president Donald Trump has said that Sir Keir Starmer “will resign” as prime minister, accusing him of “failing badly” on immigration and energy.Writing on social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Mr Trump said: “Keir Starmer will resign as prime minister of the United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects - immigration and energy (Open North Sea oil!). I wish him well! President DJT”.The post is thought to be based on media reports as the two have not spoken this weekend.Sir Keir is not the only leader to face criticism from Mr Trump this weekend after he hit out at Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday.Mr Trump said that Ms Meloni was “doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity”, and accused her of not supporting US efforts to prevent Iran “from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon”.Ms Meloni retaliated on Instagram, saying the US president’s “constant, unprovoked attacks” were “senseless”. She added: “As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”U.S. President Donald Trump (R) sits alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a working session on promoting economic growth with G7 leaders and G7 outreach partners, during the G7 Summit on June 17, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Getty)Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 05:05'Six - possible seven - PMs in 10 years is unsustainable', home office minister says Home Office minister Mike Tapp has said the change-over of British prime ministers has become “unsustainable” amid pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable to leave office on Monday. Mr Tapp took to social media platform X on Sunday to call for a new law that would see a general election called if there is a change of prime minister. He added to his comments, later saying: “We cannot continue as we are. There are many nuances to this but at the core we must remember that as politicians we are here to serve the country - and 6 (possibly 7) PMs in 10 years is unsustainable.“We need to find a better balance and this conversation is important.”Mike Tapp Home Office minister (PA Archive)Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 04:07US influencer Hasan Piker on his ban from Britain: ‘The UK Left is in disarray’If everything had gone according to Hasan Piker’s plan two weeks ago, he’d have no reason to talk to me.He and his uncle – both controversial political commentators from the US – were barred from the UK earlier this month, so he’s sitting at a desk speaking via a video call, looking similar to how he spends most of his time, streaming eight hours a day, seven days a week, to 3.1 million followers on Twitch, writes Liam Murphy-Robledo. Somewhat of a leftist shock jock, Piker’s modus operandi is to use entertainment, provocation and streaming to turn people towards his causes. These are primarily criticising Israel and US mainstream politics, and pulling the Democratic party towards him and away from the center.No formal statement has been given on the decision, but the Home Office confirmed to The Guardian the two men’s entry into the country “may not be conducive to the public good”.Read more here: Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 03:08Badenoch vows to 'never' do a deal with FarageConservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said that she will not do an electoral deal with Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, insisting: “We are not the same, and voters are not ours to trade like football cards”. Writing in The Mail on Sunday, Ms Badenoch said that “Reform dress like Thatcherites but act like Corbynites”, as she criticised Mr Farage’s party for “a bigger state, more spending, nationalisation, gimmicks, and unfunded giveaways”. She said that “the way to stop Leftwing coalitions is to build a Conservative majority that reaches beyond the Right.”She said that calls to “unite the right” were “really just a demand that Conservatives stand down and give Reform a free run because they can’t win a general election otherwise.”Ms Badenoch insisted that the Conservatives can win the next general election.Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 02:55Analysis: When it comes to Keir Starmer’s replacement, where are all the women?As the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation looms over the start of the coming week like the heatwave, one thing strikes me above all else. Whenever conversation does grudgingly turn to the prospect of a contest rather than a coronation for Andy Burnham, the key players are all men, writes Kat Brown.Notwithstanding Labour’s glaringly obvious reluctance to vote for women in leadership contests, let alone get behind one as leader, this feels like the Starmer drama has caused memory leaks in the PLP.I know a lot’s been going on, but let’s try and cast our minds back a whole five months to February, when Labour was in the grips of the Mandelson scandal. Starmer met with the Women’s PLP to “discuss” the boys’ club culture in his government that had factored in Peter Mandelson’s appointment. Harriet Harman told the PM he needed to “transform the political culture in government around women and girls”.Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, eventually resigned over Mandelson’s appointment. Yet, just four months later, The i Paper reported three Government sources as saying he was back, advising Starmer over the phone. And on Friday week Baroness Harman was back to say what we really should all be thinking: “There must be a woman in the contest”, she told Radio 4’s Today programme. “We cannot have a male beauty parade again.”Read the full piece here: Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 01:43Recap: Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’US president Donald Trump has said that Sir Keir Starmer “will resign” as prime minister, accusing him of “failing badly” on immigration and energy.Writing on social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Mr Trump said: “Keir Starmer will resign as prime minister of the United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects - immigration and energy (Open North Sea oil!). I wish him well! President DJT”.The post is thought to be based on media reports as the two have not spoken this weekend.Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 00:56'Far too much Westminster gossip': Labour MP warnsPreet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, has criticised her fellow parliamentarians for indulging in “far too much Westminster gossip”. Writing on X on Sunday afternoon, she wrote: “There is far too much Westminster gossip and not enough focus on the people we are here to serve. The public expect us to focus on the job we were elected to do, not indulge in endless internal noise.”Holly Bancroft21 June 2026 23:59Changing leader 'will invite calls for general election', Labour MP warnsChanging leader “will invite incessant demands for an early general election”, Labour ally of Sir Keir Starmer warns. Writing in Labour List, Michael Payne, MP for Gedling, said on Sunday that replacing Sir Keir as prime minister would “risk distracting the government from the work of national renewal.”He continued: “Whether you think changing leader is a mistake or not Labour’s responsibility is to remain focused on delivering for the country that elected us to govern. The British people elected a Labour government to govern, not to spend its time indulging Westminster psychodrama. “And while our political opponents – not least Nigel Farage and those who would happily reverse the progress we have made – seek to talk Britain down, Labour should never lose confidence in what we have achieved together.”Holly Bancroft21 June 2026 22:52