Keir Starmer has spent the past 48 hours making frantic phone calls to allies in a desperate attempt to save his premiership, but has reportedly run out of lifelines as Cabinet ministers urge him to resign. The embattled Prime Minister, facing mounting crises and internal rebellion, had believed he had a 50/50 chance of survival until Andy Burnham's victory in Makerfield and pressure from colleagues made clear his time is up.
Cabinet Ministers Turn Against Starmer
A source close to the situation revealed that Starmer was reaching out to people he thought were locked in two months ago but now might be wavering. Instead of rallying support, several Cabinet ministers, including Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, told him to set out a timetable for his departure. The source said: "More Cabinet ministers than not told him that he needs to set out a timetable."
Starmer's Legacy in Question
The Prime Minister leaves a troubled legacy, with a net favourability rating of -42 and an economy ranking among the weakest in the G7 for growth and living standards. Among his few remaining supporters is Chancellor Rachel Reeves, but even loyalists acknowledge the game is up. One loyalist said: "I think if Keir held firm there is a fair chance Andy would implode and at best would arrive at the finish line much damaged."
Burnham Emerges as Leadership Contender
Andy Burnham, who has twice stood for the Labour leadership and been rejected, is due in Westminster tomorrow and is being touted as the leader in waiting. The contest is now expected to be between Burnham and net zero advocate Ed Miliband. Downing Street had insisted as recently as Friday that Starmer would fight any leadership challenge, but the herd is moving, and the PM is expected to be turfed out of office within days.
