Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly considering resigning as Prime Minister.
It comes as Sir Keir faces a leadership threat from Andy Burnham after the Labour figure won the Makerfield by-election on Friday.
The number of Labour MPs calling for Starmer to go has since topped 100 and includes some who signed a letter warning against a leadership contest just last month.
Labour grandees have also spoken out, with former Home Secretary Alan Johnson saying Sir Keir should step aside and Lord Falconer said he has “no authority” because it is assumed he will be replaced.
Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly considering resigning
Sir Keir had previously insisted he would fight a leadership challenge before the by-election, but business secretary Peter Kyle said at the weekend that the Prime Minister was "making time to reflect on the political realities" he now faces.
The PM's position came under increasing strain following a series of policy U-turns, including changes to winter fuel support for pensioners and the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.
He led Labour to a 174-seat majority just two years ago, but the party has since fallen behind in the polls.
US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, saying that Sir Keir had failed on immigration and energy policies, something the two had often clashed over.
Taking to Truth Social, 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 Prime Minister is understood to be at Chequers with his wife, Lady Victoria, this weekend, and is reportedly reflecting on how to proceed.
A senior ally told The Sun they believe there is “just a 25% chance he fights on now”, while The Observer cited a Labour peer who said they think Sir Keir sees that “stopping ‘chaos’ (as he rightly put it) is now not possible by staying.”
Senior Labour figures believe a “clear statement” could come as early as Monday, according to The Observer.
No 10 said Sir Keir’s position remained unchanged from Friday, when he said he would not “walk away” from Downing Street and that he plans to stand in any potential contest.
He warned Labour staffers during a call on Friday lunchtime to avoid “plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement”.
He is understood to have spoken to a number of Cabinet ministers on Friday, some of whom are reported to have told him he should set out a timetable for his departure.
Some in Westminster believe a contest could begin as early as next week, but allies of Mr Burnham favour a longer wait to allow them to prepare for government.
It is understood that Mr Burnham’s camp wants Sir Keir to set out his plans in the coming days but would accept a timetable that kept him in No 10 until September.
The incoming Makerfield MP is expected to be in Westminster on Monday to be sworn into the Commons.
Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour’s new MP for Makerfield.
Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 19, 2026
He is reportedly planning to speak to Sir Keir afterwards and present him with a list of backers – which he is said to be seeking to get up to 200 – in a bid to press him to step down and set out a transition.
In a blow to Sir Keir, Labour peer Charlie Falconer said Sir Keir has “absolutely no authority” because “everybody assumes” Mr Burnham is going to challenge him and win.
He said he would advise Sir Keir not to stand in a leadership contest and instead agree a handover, preferably before the parliamentary recess on 16 July.
Do you think Sir Keir will step down as PM? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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