Business Secretary Peter Kyle has dropped the strongest hint yet that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce his resignation on Monday. In interviews with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Kyle refused to deny reports that Starmer is planning to step down, stating that the PM is considering the "national interest" rather than his "personal circumstances."
Pressure Mounts After By-Election Defeat
Starmer is under intense pressure to resign or set a departure timetable following Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election. Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, is expected to arrive in Westminster on Monday to be sworn in as an MP, fuelling speculation about a leadership challenge.
Kyle told Kuenssberg: "I can't predict the future. I don't know what's going to unfold in the days that lie ahead. I don't know the decisions that he will make on behalf of our country as he considers these issues, and then makes decisions." He added that the government would ensure "whatever unfolds" is a "functional process" where Labour puts "the interests of the country first and foremost."
Starmer at Chequers with Wife
Starmer spent the weekend at Chequers discussing his future with his wife, Victoria. Kyle confirmed he had a "frank conversation" with the PM on Friday, describing Starmer's mindset as "calm" during the "lengthy conversation." Kyle said: "As well as working really hard over this weekend, I think he is making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges, and opportunities that he finds himself in."
When asked if it was time for Starmer to relinquish office, Kyle replied: "My priority when I think what my role is in putting the country first is to uphold the authority of this government, to make sure that we can govern through a moment of political challenge, and that we are 100% focused on delivering."
Speculation Mounts Over Leadership
Kyle dismissed reports that Starmer is planning to announce his resignation as "speculation," but did not deny them. He told Sky News: "I have nothing to believe that they are true. I'm seeing a lot of speculation out there. The only thing I can say with fact is that the Prime Minister is hard at work, as he is every day."
Kyle also revealed he had messaged Burnham to congratulate him on his by-election win, but Burnham had not yet responded. The by-election result has been seen as a humiliating blow to Starmer's leadership, with Burnham's victory strengthening calls for a change at the top.
