Sir Keir Starmer is increasingly expected to announce that he will set out a timetable for his departure on Monday, as his leading challenger Andy Burnham arrives in Westminster.
The prime minister, who spent the weekend discussing his political future with his family at Chequers, is believed to be preparing to unveil his resignation plan amid growing pressure to quit.
No 10 has insisted Sir Keir’s position remained unchanged from Friday, when he said he would not “walk away” from Downing Street and vowed to stand in any potential contest.
However, The Independent understands that Sir Keir has been discussing a plan to hand over the Labour leadership to Mr Burnham, with the former Mayor of Manchester seeking a transition in September to allow him time to prepare.
It follows a weekend of growing discontent from Labour MPs, with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper understood to become the most senior minister to call on Sir Keir to step down.
Analysis: Does a PM announcing his departure count as a historic day when it is the sixth time in 10 years?
After a relatively quiet weekend where Andy Burnham took it easy after an arduous by-election campaign and Keir Starmer took stock of “the political realities”, as business secretary Peter Kyle put it, Monday is the day where everything finally comes to a head, writes Political Editor David Maddox.
At some point the dreaded Downing Street lectern is expected to be wheeled out and Sir Keir is going to muster his remaining dignity to announce that he will be stepping aside as Labour leader and prime minister.
The only question remaining is whether it will be a coronation for Andy Burnham or a contest with somebody like health secretary Wes Streeting. A coronation is certainly the favourite of the two options currently.
But it is worth taking stock that since 24 June 2016 when David Cameron had his lectern moment after losing the Brexit referendum, this will be the sixth prime minister in just under 10 years to announce they are leaving Downing Street because they are unable to govern.
Only Rishi Sunak in July 2024 did so after actually losing a general election while Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and now Keir Starmer have all been forced to leave early by their own MPs.
Astonishingly, Starmer is being forced to do it less than two years after winning Labour’s second biggest majority.
These events used to be called “historic” and no doubt someone will use that adjective to describe Sir Keir’s moment. But in truth it is becoming commonplace in British politics a long way from the days of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.
If the country is to thrive again it needs political stability and needs to find a prime minister who has the strength and ability to stay the course.
David Maddox22 June 2026 06:06
What are the options ahead if Sir Keir announces his resignation on Monday?
Monday will see Andy Burnham return to Westminster fresh from his victory in the Makerfield by-election. Labour MPs have been invited to a photo call with the former Greater Manchester mayor to celebrate Mr Burnham’s resounding victory over Reform UK.
Mr Burnham is reportedly keen to wait to become prime minister in September after summer recess rather than be crowned imminently. A delayed handover would allow Sir Keir Starmer “to secure his legacy”, one source told The Independent.
But some Labour MPs are anxious that the transfer of power takes place sooner, and have suggested as early as mid-July.
So what are the options ahead if Sir Keir announces his resignation on Monday? An Andy Burnham coronation or an open Labour leadership contest.
Read more here:
The two scenarios facing No 10 if Starmer resigns as prime minister
Sir Keir Starmer faces crunch day on Monday after a weekend reflecting on his political future Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 05:33
Starmer expected to announce resignation today
Sir Keir Starmer is understood to be discussing a plan to hand over the Labour leadership to Andy Burnham amid a growing belief that he will announce his timetable for departure on Monday.
The former Greater Manchester mayor is understood to want to wait to become prime minister until September and a delay would, according to a source, “allow the prime minister to secure his legacy.”
The source said that the prime minister is now “working towards” a handover in early September after the summer recess but MPs suggest it could be as early as mid-July.
Read the full story here:
Starmer on the brink: PM and Burnham ‘working towards’ handover in September
Tech secretary Peter Kyle said that the PM is discussing the ‘political realities’ of his position as foreign secretary Yvette Cooper becomes the most senior minister to tell him to go but MPs warn Starmer may have to go by mid-JulyDavid Maddox22 June 2026 05:15
Trump claims Starmer will resign
US president Donald Trump has said that Sir Keir Starmer “will resign” as prime minister, accusing him of “failing badly” on immigration and energy.
Mr Trump’s intervention comes as Sir Keir faces mounting pressure to set out a resignation timetable after Andy Burnham’s by-election win.
Writing on social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Mr 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 post is thought to be based on media reports as the two have not spoken this weekend.
Sir Keir is not the only leader to face criticism from Mr Trump this weekend after he hit out at Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday.
Mr Trump said that Ms Meloni was “doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity”, and accused her of not supporting US efforts to prevent Iran “from obtaining or developing a nuclear weapon”.
Ms Meloni retaliated on Instagram, saying the US president’s “constant, unprovoked attacks” were “senseless”. She added: “As for my popularity, being your friend has certainly not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.”
Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 05:05
‘Six – possible seven – PMs in 10 years is unsustainable’, home office minister says
Home Office minister Mike Tapp has said the change-over of British prime ministers has become “unsustainable” amid pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable to leave office on Monday.
Mr Tapp took to social media platform X on Sunday to call for a new law that would see a general election called if there is a change of prime minister.
He added to his comments, later saying: “We cannot continue as we are. There are many nuances to this but at the core we must remember that as politicians we are here to serve the country – and 6 (possibly 7) PMs in 10 years is unsustainable.
“We need to find a better balance and this conversation is important.”
Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 04:07
US influencer Hasan Piker on his ban from Britain: ‘The UK Left is in disarray’
If everything had gone according to Hasan Piker’s plan two weeks ago, he’d have no reason to talk to me.
He and his uncle – both controversial political commentators from the US – were barred from the UK earlier this month, so he’s sitting at a desk speaking via a video call, looking similar to how he spends most of his time, streaming eight hours a day, seven days a week, to 3.1 million followers on Twitch, writes Liam Murphy-Robledo.
Somewhat of a leftist shock jock, Piker’s modus operandi is to use entertainment, provocation and streaming to turn people towards his causes. These are primarily criticising Israel and US mainstream politics, and pulling the Democratic party towards him and away from the center.
Piker and his uncle Cenk Uygur had been due to give talks at business-culture event SXSW in London and the Oxford Union this month, but found their Electronic Travel Authorisations cancelled before they were due to depart.
No formal statement has been given on the decision, but the Home Office confirmed to The Guardian the two men’s entry into the country “may not be conducive to the public good”.
Read more here:
US influencer Hasan Piker on his ban from Britain: ‘The UK Left is in disarray’
Piker’s modus operandi is to use entertainment, provocation and streaming to turn people towards his causes. He tells Liam Murphy-Robledo about his recent UK ban and defends his much-criticised views on IsraelHolly Bancroft22 June 2026 03:08
Badenoch vows to ‘never’ do a deal with Farage
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said that she will not do an electoral deal with Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, insisting: “We are not the same, and voters are not ours to trade like football cards”.
Writing in The Mail on Sunday, Ms Badenoch said that “Reform dress like Thatcherites but act like Corbynites”, as she criticised Mr Farage’s party for “a bigger state, more spending, nationalisation, gimmicks, and unfunded giveaways”.
She said that “the way to stop Leftwing coalitions is to build a Conservative majority that reaches beyond the Right.”
She said that calls to “unite the right” were “really just a demand that Conservatives stand down and give Reform a free run because they can’t win a general election otherwise.”
Ms Badenoch insisted that the Conservatives can win the next general election.
Holly Bancroft22 June 2026 02:55
Analysis: When it comes to Keir Starmer’s replacement, where are all the women?
As the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation looms over the start of the coming week like the heatwave, one thing strikes me above all else. Whenever conversation does grudgingly turn to the prospect of a contest rather than a coronation for Andy Burnham, the key players are all men, writes Kat Brown.
Notwithstanding Labour’s glaringly obvious reluctance to vote for women in leadership contests, let alone get behind one as leader, this feels like the Starmer drama has caused memory leaks in the PLP.
I know a lot’s been going on, but let’s try and cast our minds back a whole five months to February, when Labour was in the grips of the Mandelson scandal. Starmer met with the Women’s PLP to “discuss” the boys’ club culture in his government that had factored in Peter Mandelson’s appointment. Harriet Harman told the PM he needed to “transform the political culture in government around women and girls”.
Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, eventually resigned over Mandelson’s appointment. Yet, just four months later, The i Paper reported three Government sources as saying he was back, advising Starmer over the phone. And on Friday week Baroness Harman was back to say what we really should all be thinking: “There must be a woman in the contest”, she told Radio 4’s Today programme. “We cannot have a male beauty parade again.”
Read the full piece here:
When it comes to Keir Starmer’s replacement, where are the women?
The party owes it to itself and the country to hold a contest that isn’t an exclusive boys’ club, says Kat BrownHolly Bancroft22 June 2026 01:43
Recap: Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’
US president Donald Trump has said that Sir Keir Starmer “will resign” as prime minister, accusing him of “failing badly” on immigration and energy.
Mr Trump’s intervention comes as Sir Keir faces mounting pressure to set out a resignation timetable after Andy Burnham’s by-election win.
Writing on social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Mr 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 post is thought to be based on media reports as the two have not spoken this weekend.
Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’
US president Donald Trump said on Truth Social that Sir Keir Starmer ‘will resign’ as UK prime ministerHolly Bancroft22 June 2026 00:56
‘Far too much Westminster gossip’: Labour MP warns
Preet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, has criticised her fellow parliamentarians for indulging in “far too much Westminster gossip”.
Writing on X on Sunday afternoon, she wrote: “There is far too much Westminster gossip and not enough focus on the people we are here to serve. The public expect us to focus on the job we were elected to do, not indulge in endless internal noise.”
Holly Bancroft21 June 2026 23:59NewerOlder