Starmer Expected to Resign Amid Growing Support for Burnham
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly expected to resign on Monday as he prepares to announce a timetable for an orderly departure from No 10.
According to reports, Starmer, who had previously insisted he would contest any leadership challenge, now acknowledges his position is untenable following discussions with cabinet ministers, party donors, and trade union leaders over recent days.
“He’s come up hard against the reality that the support isn’t there,” one source told the Observer. “The truth is everyone knows this is no longer a tenable proposition. There’s a sadness about it all, of course, but sometimes there’s just an inevitability in politics and as Boris Johnson said, ‘When the herd moves it moves’.”
Downing Street has denied the reports of Starmer’s imminent resignation, stating that he is continuing with his duties as prime minister.
Surge in Support for Andy Burnham
The number of MPs backing Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership has surged following his recent success, which demonstrated his ability to challenge Reform in a general election.
Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is expected to be sworn into the House of Commons on Monday. He is reportedly planning to meet with Starmer afterwards to present a list of supporters, which he aims to increase to approximately 200 MPs, in an effort to encourage Starmer to step down and initiate a transition process.
Allies of Burnham advocate for a longer transition period to allow adequate preparation for government, which could result in Starmer remaining prime minister for several months.
The number of MPs publicly calling for Starmer to resign has surpassed 100, representing just under a quarter of the party’s MPs. This group includes many who prefer a smooth transition of power without a potentially disruptive leadership contest.
Pressure Mounts Ahead of Cabinet Meeting
Starmer faces increasing pressure to disclose his plans before a critical cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday, where several ministers are expected to inform him that his tenure is over.
