Keir Starmer set for statement amid reports of resignation timetable

London,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 14:14 IST

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was expected to make a statement on Monday amid growing speculation that he could announce a timetable for stepping down. His office did not confirm the reports, but signs of a major announcement were visible outside 10 Downing Street, where a lectern had been set up and journalists gathered through the morning.

If Starmer does set out a resignation timetable, he would become the sixth British prime minister in a decade to announce an early departure outside Downing Street. The development comes a day before Britain marks 10 years since the vote to leave the European Union, a decision that continues to shape the country's politics and economy.

Starmer spent the weekend considering his position after intraparty rival Andy Burnham won a special election for a seat in Parliament. Burnham, until last week the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, had campaigned with the aim of challenging Starmer for the leadership of the party and the government. Burnham is due to be sworn in as a member of Parliament on Monday.

While Starmer's office declined to comment on the resignation reports, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said on Sunday that Starmer is "making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in."

It remains unclear whether Burnham would take over unopposed or face a contest if Starmer steps aside. Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary last month in protest at Starmer's leadership, has said he will run if there is a leadership contest.

Discontent with Starmer has been building within Labour for months, as party lawmakers try to halt the government's fall in popularity since its landslide election victory in July 2024. Starmer has struggled to deliver the economic growth he promised, improve strained public services and ease the cost of living. He has also faced criticism over a series of political missteps, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson, described in the report as a scandal-tarnished friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as the UK ambassador to the United States.

Labour is also under pressure from both sides of the political spectrum, losing liberal voters to the Green Party while facing the rise of Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK, which has been leading in nationwide opinion polls. Even before any announcement from Starmer, US President Donald Trump weighed in, posting on social media: "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." It was not clear whether Trump was reacting to media reports, and the two leaders did not speak over the weekend.

Starmer's relationship with Trump, initially seen as warm, has worsened in recent months over issues including the Iran war, which Britain did not join. At the same time, Starmer has won praise for his role abroad, especially in gathering European support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and in trying to limit the economic and political fallout from the Iran conflict. Some Labour lawmakers have defended him, with London legislator Neil Coyle writing on X against "the prospect of an utter stitch-up & the media circus being rewarded. When the next leader cannot change Trump, Iran, Ukraine, Putin, Musk, broadcast editorial & algorithm bias overnight they'll bay for his blood too. Better keep that guillotine sharp."

With no formal confirmation from Downing Street, uncertainty continued over Starmer's future, but pressure on his leadership had clearly intensified after Burnham's return to Parliament and Labour's growing internal unrest.

With PTI Inputs

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