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  "path": "/2026/06/21/keir-starmer-to-announce-resignation-monday-everything-know-far-28862630/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-21T07:15:45.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
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  "textContent": "Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls from his own Cabinet to step down (Picture: Peter MacDiarmid/The Times/PA Wire)\n\nSir Keir Starmer could announce his resignation as Labour Party leader and Prime Minister as soon as tomorrow, according to reports.\n\nThe PM faces immense pressure from his MPs and broader party to step down following Andy Burnham’s decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election.\n\nHe has spent the weekend with his wife Victoria at Chequers, his official country residence, and is expected to meet Burnham early this week.\n\nIt is thought the now former Mayor of Greater Manchester will urge Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure from Downing Street during those talks.\n\nThe Observer reported that a ‘clear statement’ from the Prime Minister to that effect may come on Monday, with an anonymous Labour peer telling the newspaper Starmer wants to ‘arrange a deliberate slow march’.\n\nSuch a move would contrast with the PM’s statement immediately after Burnham’s by-election win, in which he vowed to stand in any leadership race.\n\n##  Everything is changing, all the time\n\nCut through political noise and understand how the Westminster chaos actually affects your life with Metro's politics newsletter Alright, Gov? Sign up here.\n\nHe told reporters in North London on Friday: ‘If there is a contest, just to be clear with you, then yes, I will run, I will stand and I’ve said repeatedly I’m not going to walk away from that.’\n\nIn an appearance on Sky News this morning, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said he had ‘nothing to believe’ that the Observer’s report is true.\n\nHe said: ‘All I know for a fact is he has been engaging in conversations with a wide range of people, including myself, and that he is working really hard over this weekend.\n\n‘I think he is making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in.’\n\nIf Starmer did decide to run against Burnham, it could lead to lengthy uncertainty over who will be running the country.\n\nThe PM has come under further pressure since his initial statement, with even previously loyal MPs such as Southport’s Patrick Hurley saying it is time for him to go.\n\nTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander is believed to have called for the PM to go (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)\n\nBBC News reported that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander are among the Cabinet members who have privately urged him to set a timetable following Makerfield.\n\nBut others have warned against a coronation of Burnham, arguing anyone hoping to become the UK’s leader should be publicly tested.\n\nFormer Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned from his post in the wake of last month’s elections, has said he wants a ‘battle of ideas’ about the future direction of the party.\n\nBurnham remains the overwhelming favourite to win any contest, after demonstrating his ability to defeat Reform in Thursday’s by-election.\n\nThe so-called ‘King of the North’ took 55% of the vote in the constituency south of Wigan, coming a full 20 points ahead of Reform candidate Rob Kenyon.\n\nAndy Burnham speaking to supporters after his victory in Makerfield (Picture: AP Photo/Jon Super)\n\nHe will be sworn into Parliament tomorrow, and it is believed he would easily obtain the backing of the 81 MPs needed to begin a leadership contest.\n\nAccording to the New Statesman magazine, Burnham’s team is aiming to get the backing of as many as 200 other MPs – half of the Parliamentary Labour Party – to secure his position as the natural successor.\n\nIf Keir Starmer does announce his resignation in the coming days, it would represent a staggering fall from grace for a leader who won a huge majority in Parliament less than two years ago.\n\nStarmer’s popularity plummeted shortly after he took office, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party rose to a consistent ten-point lead in voting intention polls.\n\nNerves from Labour figures after two disastrous sets of English local elections and a collapse in party support in Wales last month led to questions over whether a new leader could be required to avoid oblivion.\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Keir Starmer ‘to announce resignation on Monday’ – everything we know so far"
}