Starmer’s fate will be decided on Monday.Image: keystone
June 22, 2026, 04:38June 22, 2026, 04:38
According to media reports, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is about to be eliminated. The Labor politician may announce a timetable for his resignation today, wrote The Times newspaper, among others. The broadcaster Sky News reported that Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper, one of the highest-ranking ministers, had now asked Starmer to do so.
As long as the Prime Minister does not make a statement himself, there remains the possibility that he wants to remain in office despite the massive pressure within the party. “Starmer is considering his political future,” the BBC reported on Sunday evening. The Prime Minister reportedly spent the weekend at his country estate Checkers to reflect.
This is how the decision day could go in Westminster today:
Scenario 1: Starmer announces his resignation
On Friday, after his party rival Andy Burnham entered Parliament, the Prime Minister declared that he wanted to face any challenge. But the support that Starmer had just a few weeks ago seems to be finally disappearing. Even before Burnham’s success, Defense Secretary John Healey had resigned.
The announcement of a resignation from his position as head of the Social Democratic Party and thus as Prime Minister in the near future would have the advantage for Starmer of at least directing an orderly transition himself. It is therefore unlikely that he will give up immediately. Even those who have since moved on from him praise Starmer for leading Labor out of its deepest crisis two years ago. The 63-year-old will want to keep this legacy.
The easiest way for the party would be if only Burnham announced his ambitions for the party leadership – and not another candidate like former Health Minister Wes Streeting. British media described this option as a kind of coronation. In this case there would also be a leadership election at Labor because the party leadership would be vacant. But that would be more of a formal process without an internal campaign, because Burnham could be sure of the necessary support for the nomination.
Scenario 2: Starmer repeats his slogan of perseverance
It is not uncommon in the British media for speculation to be spread more or less than facts. At the weekend, this also included the fact that Starmer’s wife Victoria allegedly repeatedly encouraged him at the country estate to keep fighting and not to resign. MPs also appear in the news tickers from time to time who emphasize Starmer’s achievements.
After initial reports about the day of the decision, Downing Street denied it and referred to Starmer’s statements on Friday. What Starmer wrote on Platform X on Sunday had nothing to do with politics. “Being a father is my greatest joy,” he said on British Father’s Day.
Business Minister Peter Kyle said there was no reason to believe Starmer’s resolute stance had changed. In that case, Burnham would likely soon trigger the process for a leadership election. Formally, he needs the support of 20 percent of Labor MPs. It would then still be an open question as to whether other challengers who would have to meet the same requirements would also venture out of cover.
During his time as mayor of Greater Manchester, 56-year-old Burnham had earned a reputation as the charismatic darling of the moderate-left wing of the party.
Scenario 3: Downing Street is silent
What would not be entirely surprising given the chaotic British politics in recent years would be the possibility that no decisions at all will be announced today. There is a cabinet meeting on the agenda in London on Tuesday: as of now, it is likely to be explosive.