UK PM Starmer faces calls to step aside

By Brittany Hayes 22/06/2026 5 min read 11 views

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing his political future after Andy Burnham’s election win in northwest England intensified calls for him to step aside. More ministers within the governing Labour Party are urging Starmer to set a timeline for his departure, according to sources, as Burnham’s victory has widened the rift within the party. The situation has escalated following a decisive victory in a parliamentary seat in north-western England on Friday, which has been interpreted by some lawmakers as a signal of shifting voter allegiances and a loss of confidence in Starmer’s leadership. The timing of Burnham’s win, just days before the weekend, has added urgency to the pressure on Starmer, with speculation growing that he could announce a timetable for his departure as early as Monday, June 22, following a weekend of intense reflection and discussions with family and close allies.

Burnham’s decisive win in a parliamentary seat in north-western England has emboldened lawmakers who believe Starmer’s leadership is untenable. A source close to the prime minister said he is consulting family and allies over the weekend, with an expected discussion with Burnham likely to clarify his next steps. The scale of Burnham’s victory, which saw him secure a significant majority in a traditionally contested area, has been cited by multiple ministers as a catalyst for renewed demands for Starmer to outline a clear exit strategy. One insider noted that the win has shifted the internal trends within the Labour Party, with some senior figures now viewing the leadership crisis as a matter of when, rather than if, Starmer will step down. The pressure on Starmer has been compounded by his ongoing struggle with historically low approval ratings, a situation exacerbated by internal divisions over policy and strategy.

Starmer’s approval ratings remain among the lowest for any British leader in modern history, compounded by internal divisions over policy and strategy. The prime minister has previously stated he would contest any formal leadership challenge, but his team’s confidence in his 2024 national election victory is now under scrutiny. The 2024 victory has not translated into sustained public support, with polls indicating a growing disconnect between Starmer’s governance and the expectations of Labour members and voters. This dissonance has been further amplified by the perception that Starmer’s leadership has failed to address key issues such as immigration and energy policy, areas where external criticism from figures like US President Donald Trump has added to the pressure. Trump’s public remarks on Truth Social, where he predicted Starmer’s resignation and criticized his handling of immigration and North Sea oil production, have showed the external scrutiny the prime minister faces, even if they hold no direct political influence.

US President Donald Trump weighed in on social media, predicting Starmer would resign and criticizing his handling of immigration and North Sea oil production. While Trump’s remarks carry no direct influence, they show the external pressures on Starmer’s position. The comments, which were amplified across international news platforms, have been interpreted by some analysts as a reflection of broader dissatisfaction with Starmer’s policies, particularly among conservative and centrist voters. Trump’s assertion that Starmer has “failed badly” on key issues has been echoed by segments of the media and opposition figures, further isolating Starmer within the Labour Party. His remarks have also drawn attention to the international dimension of the crisis, highlighting how global political figures can amplify domestic tensions, even if indirectly.

Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper reportedly urged Starmer to step down in private talks, though her office has not confirmed the claim. Other ministers and lawmakers are now treating the matter as a question of timing rather than inevitability, with some advocating for an orderly transition. Cooper’s alleged intervention, if true, would mark a significant moment in the unfolding crisis, as it suggests a growing consensus among senior Labour figures that Starmer’s tenure is unsustainable. The lack of public confirmation, however, has left room for speculation about the extent of internal party cohesion. Meanwhile, the leadership of the Labour Party has been divided between those who see a leadership contest as inevitable and those who argue for a negotiated exit to preserve the party’s unity. This division has been exacerbated by the presence of multiple potential challengers, including Burnham, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and others, each with their own visions for the party’s future.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the challenges Starmer faces, noting the prime minister is grappling with what the country expects from him. Kyle emphasized there are no guarantees about the future, but the political setting remains volatile. Kyle’s comments, delivered during a public interview, provided a rare insight into Starmer’s internal deliberations. He described the prime minister as being in “very difficult circumstances,” a sentiment that has been echoed by other senior ministers. Kyle’s remarks also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of Labour’s leadership, with no clear consensus emerging on whether a leadership contest would be the best path forward. His acknowledgment of the volatility in the political environment has been interpreted by some as a tacit admission that Starmer’s position is increasingly precarious, with the party’s future hanging in the balance.

Burnham’s supporters, including former minister Jess Phillips, have called for a dignified exit for Starmer to avoid a divisive leadership contest. Phillips described the situation as reaching “the end of the road,” suggesting a swift resolution is preferable. The push for a dignified exit has been a recurring theme among Burnham’s allies, who argue that a prolonged leadership contest could further fracture the Labour Party and damage its prospects in the 2029 general election. Phillips’ remarks, which were made during an interview with the BBC, reflect a broader strategy among Burnham’s supporters to frame Starmer’s departure as a necessary step for the party’s stability, rather than a personal failure. This narrative has gained traction within the Labour Party, with some lawmakers and ministers now viewing a negotiated transition as the most viable option to ensure a smooth leadership change and avoid further internal strife.