Starmer's Successor Has Been Named Following His Expected Resignation
- 22.06.2026, 10:02
The politician may announce his plans to resign as early as Monday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may announce his resignation in the near future, and Andy Burnham—a Labour Party member and the mayor of Greater Manchester—is being cited as the leading contender to replace him.
This was reported by The Guardian.
According to the publication, Starmer may announce his plans to step down as early as Monday. This move is expected to pave the way for a leadership change in the Labour Party and the potential appointment of Andy Burnham as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
As The Guardian notes, in recent weeks, the British leader’s allies have insisted that he is prepared to fight to retain his leadership even in the event of an internal party challenge. However, following Burnham’s victory in the by-election in the Makerfield constituency, the situation has changed significantly.
It is reported that an increasing number of Labour Party MPs and government ministers are urging Starmer to set a timeline for his departure. According to Reuters, some ministers and lawmakers believe that his political standing has weakened significantly following the party’s poor showing in the local elections.
According to sources cited by The Guardian, the British prime minister spent last weekend at the Chequers country residence, where he discussed his political future and worked on a possible plan for the handover of power. He may remain in office until the Labour Party’s fall conference to ensure an orderly transition.
Burnam, who until recently served as mayor of Greater Manchester, is currently considered the front-runner in the leadership race. According to British media reports, he has already secured significant support among Labour MPs, although the question of whether a full-scale internal party election will be held remains open.
At the same time, there has been no official confirmation of Starmer’s impending resignation. British government officials state that the prime minister is aware of the political situation and will make the decision he deems best for the country.
Keir Starmer’s Resignation
The political crisis in the UK has intensified following the Labour Party’s crushing defeat in the local elections.
Back in May, a group of influential government members, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, agreed on a common position regarding the need for a change in leadership.
According to media reports, six leading ministers planned to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, at that time, he refused to step down and announced his intention to continue leading the government.
Subsequently, internal party discontent began to manifest itself in personnel decisions. Health Secretary Wes Stritting was the first to announce his resignation. Explaining his decision, he stated that he had lost confidence in Starmer and called continued service in his government incompatible with his principles.
In June, the situation for the British prime minister became even more complicated. According to international media reports, following a series of consultations with cabinet members, party donors, and union representatives, Starmer is preparing to announce his resignation.
According to preliminary reports, he may publicly announce his resignation as early as Monday and present a timeline for the handover of power.