British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing his "political realities" this weekend, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said on Sunday, after media reports that he would resign within days. The news of Starmer's potential resignation came after veteran Labour politician and rival Andy Burnham won a byelection on Friday, setting a path for him to challenge Starmer for the Labour Party leadership and ultimately the prime minister post.
Trump declares Starmer's resignation
U.S. President Donald Trump 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!"
Should Starmer resign, Britain would get its seventh prime minister in a decade, an unprecedented turnover rate in modern history, according to AFP.
Burnham's path to power
Burnham, who currently serves as Greater Manchester's mayor, has openly stated his desire to lead the Labour Party, declaring 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 would become prime minister by default, giving the party a huge victory in parliament.
Currently, any Labour Party leadership candidate must be a member of parliament, AFP reported.
Kyle confirms 'frank' talks
On Sunday, Kyle said Starmer was "making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in." He added that Starmer "has been engaging in conversations with a wide, wide range of people," noting he had a "frank" chat with Starmer on Friday in an interview with Sky News.
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.
Starmer's recent struggles
It has been a rough couple of months for Starmer, who has been clinging to power after a political career filled with missteps, policy reversals, scandals and ministerial resignations, AFP reported. In 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 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 winning the byelection. U.K. media reported Burnham intends to replace finance minister Rachel Reeves and keep interior minister Shabana Mahmood.
