British PM Keir Starmer mulling ‘political realities’ amid resignation speculation

Starmer has been clinging to power following political missteps, policy reversals, scandals, ministerial resignations

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Published Jun 21, 2026  •  2 minute read

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo by Peter MACDIARMID /POOL/AFP/File

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pondering his “political realities” this weekend, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said on Sunday, after media reports that he would resign within days.

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The news of Starmer’s potential resignation came after veteran Labour politician and rival Andy Burnham won a byelection on Friday, which sets a path for him to challenge Starmer to be the Labour Party leader and ultimately the prime minister spot.

U.S. President Donald Trump also bluntly declared Starmer’s resignation in a Truth Social post on Sunday.

“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” wrote Trump. “He failed badly on two very important subjects – IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”

Seventh PM in a decade

Currently, any Labour Party leadership candidate must be a member of parliament, AFP reported.

Should Starmer resign, Britain will get its seventh prime minister in a decade, which is an unprecedented turnaround rate in modern history.

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Burnham, who currently serves as Greater Manchester’s mayor, has openly made his intentions known on his desire to lead the Labour Party, stating in his byelection speech that the party had a “final chance to change.” He is expected to be sworn in as MP on Monday.

If Starmer is ousted, Burnham will become prime minister by default, giving the party a huge victory in parliament.

Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle attends a business roundtable meeting with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (not pictured) at 10 Downing Street in central London on June 14, 2026, as part of Takaichi’s governmental trip to the U.K. ahead of the G7 in France. Photo by TOBY SHEPHEARD /POOL/AFP via Getty Images

‘Frank’ chat with Starmer

On Sunday, Kyle said Starmer was “making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in.

“He has been engaging in conversations with a wide, wide range of people,” Kyle said in an interview with Sky News, noting he had a “frank” chat with Starmer on Friday.

U.K. publications The Observer, The Guardian and The Sunday Telegraph reported Starmer was preparing to resign as soon as Monday.

Starmer would “set out a timetable for his departure,” The Observer reported, noting he was holding weekend talks. Among the senior ministers telling Starmer to step down was Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Sky News reported.

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Clinging to power

It’s been a rough couple of months for Starmer, who had been clinging to power after a political career filled with missteps, policy reversals, scandals and ministerial resignations, AFP reported.

This March, Starmer was nearly forced out of office after appointing ex-Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.

The Labour Party’s decline in local and regional polls in England, Scotland and Wales in the past month also put pressure on Starmer. The poll results saw parliament’s previous Labour MP, Josh Simons, resign in order to allow Burnham to return.

Burnham, along with ex-prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, are expected to be sworn back in to parliament on Monday.

He has been quiet about his plans for government since he won the byelection. U.K. media reported Burnham intends to replace finance minister Rachel Reeves and keep interior minister Shabana Mahmood.

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