Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure as reports claim he could stand down as early as this morning. Despite repeatedly stating he will not leave Number 10, the number of Labour MPs calling for his resignation has topped 100—just under a quarter of the party's MPs—and includes some who signed a letter warning against a leadership contest last month.
Burnham's By-Election Win Intensifies Pressure
Following Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election on Friday, Starmer himself acknowledged that Burnham, soon to be the Makerfield MP, would likely challenge him for the leadership. Senior government figures expect Starmer to announce both his resignation and a plan to hand over to his successor as soon as this morning, according to the BBC. Starmer has spent the weekend weighing up his political future as pressure mounts.
Likely Coronation for Burnham
While a leadership contest is possible, a "coronation" for Andy Burnham looks increasingly likely. Burnham is due to be sworn in as an MP in Westminster this afternoon, and his by-election victory has cleared a path for him to challenge for the Labour leadership. The Prime Minister faces growing calls to walk away, and the situation is developing rapidly.
