Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used his Father's Day social media post to reflect on fatherhood, writing on X: 'Today, I'm thinking about my dad, and the father I am to my children because of him. Being a dad is the greatest joy.' The message came amid growing pressure from senior cabinet figures for him to set a departure timetable.
Cabinet pressure mounts
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is among those believed to have advised Starmer to step aside, alongside Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. According to sources, the PM has consulted his wife Victoria and children about his future and may set out an exit plan as early as Monday.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Starmer was reflecting on 'political challenges he faces today' and that Labour needed to uphold its 'authority' in government. 'I know that he's a prime minister who always puts country first,' Kyle said. He added that Andy Burnham, who won back a seat in Parliament representing Makerfield on Friday, had the 'qualifications' and 'temperament' to take up the helm.
Political uncertainty ahead
If Starmer resigns on Monday, Britain would see its seventh prime minister in 10 years. Former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned in the Sunday Times that Burnham should not become leader 'by default', noting that a lack of authority cut short his own tenure. Sunak wrote that Burnham would not have more power 'than on his first day in the job' and that being a 'better communicator' would not suffice. He stressed the need for 'a clear and achievable plan for what he wants to do in those opening hours.'
Sunak became PM in October 2022 after Liz Truss's 49-day premiership, without a leadership contest after Boris Johnson declined to stand. In his column, Sunak admitted that hindsight showed a contest would have given him a greater mandate: 'Without one, your mandate is weak, and you end up being bound by commitments that aren't your priorities.'
Starmer's future uncertain
Until recently, Starmer's allies and No 10 insisted he would fight any leadership challenge. However, the growing calls from senior cabinet figures suggest a shift. Business Secretary Peter Kyle also praised Burnham's qualifications, further fueling speculation about a potential transition of power.
