Sir Keir Starmer is increasingly expected to announce that he will set out a timetable for his departure today, as his leading challenger Andy Burnham returns to Westminster as an MP.
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 new Makerfield MP 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.
Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said today she would be willing to serve under Mr Burnham, but urged her party to be “careful about how we take care of the Labour governments.”
Read MoreStarmer on the brink: PM and Burnham ‘working towards’ handover in September
Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’
The two scenarios facing No 10 if Starmer resigns as prime minister
Key Points
- Keir Starmer expected to announce resignation today
- Analysis: Westminster holds its breath as Starmer makes up his mind
- Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’
- What are the options ahead if Sir Keir announces his resignation on Monday?
- 'Six - possible seven - PMs in 10 years is unsustainable', home office minister says
What Andy Burnham as prime minister might mean for your mortgage, taxes and money
08:50 , Dan HaygarthSpeculation over Keir Starmer’s future continues amid speculation he will announce a plan to step down as prime minister – with Andy Burnham widely considered a frontrunner to step into the role.
A landslide win of the Makerfield by-election last week put Mr Burnham in line to challenge for prime minister and, if he is, Brits will want to quickly know what that might mean for their finances.
We’ve all seen politicians say they plan to do one thing, and ultimately be incapable or unwilling to make it happen – so it remains to be seen if Mr Burnham in No 10 would be able to replicate the success he has seen as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Here, The Independent takes a look at how your pocket might be affected if Mr Burnham becomes prime minister.
What Andy Burnham as prime minister might mean for your money
Downing Street reaches fever pitch as Starmer weighs up his future
08:40 , Millie CookeDowning Street has reached fever pitch this morning as pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to resign reaches new heights.
Outside the gates, a lone Restore Britain protester is using a mega phone to shout “we want Starmer out”.
Meanwhile, the press pen outside No 10 is packed out with journalists.
Even the queue to get into Downing Street was out of the door earlier with journalists piling their camera equipment into the security scanners - each of them waiting to see whether the lectern which would signal Sir Keir’s decision to resign is brought out.
Burnham pictured leaving his home in the North West this morning
08:34 , Dan Haygarth
Minister suggests she’d like Starmer to stay in office
08:25 , Athena StavrouBaroness Jacqui Smith has indicated she would still like Sir Keir Starmer to stay on as prime minister, despite overwhelming pressure for him to resign.
The education minister warned her party to be "really careful" about protecting a Labour government.
“I'm on record as saying that I would like Keir Starmer continue as prime minister,” she told LBC.
She also said she believes the prime minister”has a right” to make a decision about his political future “without perhaps all of the advice that we've got swimming around the Labour Party at the moment.”
Full story: PM and Burnham ‘working towards’ handover in September
08:18 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer is understood to be discussing a plan to handover 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.
In what appeared to be a symbolic moment, Labour MPs on Sunday afternoon received an invite - two emails and a text - telling them to all join Mr Burnham for a photocall in parliament at 3pm on Monday. While described as “normal” for welcoming a by-election winner, one MP noted: “let the coronation begin.”
Read the full story below:
Starmer on the brink: PM and Burnham ‘working towards’ handover in September
'We have to be really careful about how we take care of the Labour governments'
08:04 , Dan HaygarthEducation minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said she would be willing to serve under Andy Burnham, but urged her party to be “careful” with the Labour Government.
She told Times Radio serving under three prime ministers had been “one of the greatest honours of my life”.
She said: “I would always want to serve a Labour government if I had the opportunity to do that.
“But what I also know is we don’t get Labour governments very often, and we have to be really careful – I’m talking about my Labour colleagues now – we have to be really careful about how we take care of the Labour governments that can make such a fundamental difference to the people of this country.”
Minister hits out at Trump post claiming Starmer will resign
07:58 , Athena Stavrou
A government minister has hit back at Donald Trump after he said Sir Keir Starmer will resign in a social media post accusing the prime minister of failing with his immigration and energy policy.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, the US leader 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!).”
But education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said the prime minister hasn’t spoken to Donald Trump, and defended the government’s record on immigration and energy.
“So actually, we've got a pretty good record in government,” she told the BBC.
However, she added Sir Keir is “thinking about how to respond” to imminent challenges to his leadership, as many expect him to announce his resignation today.
Analysis: Westminster holds its breath as Starmer makes up his mind
07:46 , Athena StavrouIt’s difficult to overstate the importance of a day like today in Westminster.
The country’s media has descended on Downing Street as temperatures rise (both literally and figuratively) in No 10.
Sir Keir is now increasingly expected to have his podium moment at some point today, announcing his resignation less that two years on from his huge electoral victory.
No 10 has so far remained silent on the prime minister’s thoughts, but those close to him have been clear he spent the weekend discussing what would be the best option with his wife, Victoria.
While the nation holds it’s breath, all eyes will remain firmly fixed on on the pavement outside No 10.
Who is Andy Burnham?
07:45 , Dan HaygarthElected as MP for Makerfield in Thursday’s by-election, Andy Burnham has spent the last nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Prior to that, the Merseyside-born politician was MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester from 2001 to 2017, serving in Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s governments, as well as shadow cabinet positions under Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn.
He is a vocal Everton fan and a former president of the Rugby Football League. You can read our full profile below:
Who is Andy Burnham? The ‘King of the North’ threatening Starmer’s premiership
Minister ‘doesn’t know’ if Starmer has made resignation decision yet
07:30 , Athena StavrouA government minister has confirmed Sir Keir Starmer is “thinking really hard” about his political future as Andy Burnham returns to Parliament.
Asked whether the prime minister has made a decision about his resignation, education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told Sky News: “I don't know if he has.”
“I haven't spoken to him over the weekend. I've spoken to people close to him who emphasise this point about the thinking that he's doing, about the good of the country,”she said.
“The last time I did speak to him, that was very much, the emphasis that he had.”
What could happen on Monday?
07:29 , Holly BancroftFormer Greater Manchester mayor, and new MP for Makerfield, Andy Burnham will make a triumphant return to Westminster on Monday as speculation continues over whether Sir Keir Starmer will resign.
Multiple reports over the weekend suggested that Sir Keir could use Monday to announce that he will step down as prime minister to allow a Labour leadership contest.
While allies believe he is now resigned to stepping-down, there are different views on when he will set his departure date.
One 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.
A number of Labour MPs are concerned that a September handover will provide more delay and uncertainty with some senior figures now suggesting Sir Keir could be gone by mid-July if nobody opposed Mr Burnham.
Labour MPs have received an invite from the Parliamentary Labour Party to all join Mr Burnham for a photocall in parliament at 3pm on Monday, with some parliamentarians telling The Independent’s David Maddox that the overtures from team Burnham have been “excessive”.
Cabinet ministers ‘believe Starmer will not stand in any leadership contest’
07:02 , Holly BancroftAccording to a report in Bloomberg, several cabinet ministers believe that Sir Keir Starmer has accepted that he will have to set out a timetable for his departure, and believe he will choose not to stand in any leadership election.
Some Starmer allies are trying to persuade him to set an exit date in September, arguing that Andy Burnham does not yet have a plan for power, the news outlet reported.
One long-standing ally of Starmer told Bloomberg that without a clear plan Mr Burnham could see his popularity wain within months and more internal fighting would begin within the Labour party.
What happened over the weekend? Pressure builds on Sir Keir Starmer to resign
06:32 , Holly BancroftWith pressure building on the UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to stand down, or at least set out a timetable for when he will leave office, here is a re-cap of everything that happened over the weekend:
- The Observer reported that Sir Keir will set out a timetable for his departure from Downing Street on Monday.
- Andy Burnham is understood to want to wait to become prime minister, with a delay until September, The Independent’s David Maddox reported.
- Business secretary Peter Kyle told broadcasters on Sunday that Sir Keir is considering “political realities” after Mr Burnham’s win in Makerfield.
- US president Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that Sir Keir “will resign as prime minister”, despite the pair reportedly not speaking over the weekend.
- The BBC reported that foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has urged Sir Keir to set out a timetable to leave.
Analysis: Does a PM announcing his departure count as a historic day when it is the sixth time in 10 years?
06:06 , David MaddoxAfter 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.
What are the options ahead if Sir Keir announces his resignation on Monday?
05:33 , Holly BancroftMonday 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
Starmer expected to announce resignation today
05:15 , David MaddoxSir 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
Trump claims Starmer will resign
05:05 , Holly BancroftUS 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.”
'Six - possible seven - PMs in 10 years is unsustainable', home office minister says
04:07 , Holly BancroftHome 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.”
US influencer Hasan Piker on his ban from Britain: ‘The UK Left is in disarray’
03:08 , Holly BancroftIf 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’
Badenoch vows to 'never' do a deal with Farage
02:55 , Holly BancroftConservative 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.
Analysis: When it comes to Keir Starmer’s replacement, where are all the women?
01:43 , Holly BancroftAs 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?
Recap: Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’
Monday 22 June 2026 00:56 , Holly BancroftUS 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’
'Far too much Westminster gossip': Labour MP warns
Sunday 21 June 2026 23:59 , Holly BancroftPreet 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.”
Changing leader 'will invite calls for general election', Labour MP warns
Sunday 21 June 2026 22:52 , Holly BancroftChanging leader “will invite incessant demands for an early general election”, Labour ally of Sir Keir Starmer warns.
Writing in Labour List, Michael Payne, MP for Gedling, said on Sunday that replacing Sir Keir as prime minister would “risk distracting the government from the work of national renewal.”
He continued: “Whether you think changing leader is a mistake or not Labour’s responsibility is to remain focused on delivering for the country that elected us to govern. The British people elected a Labour government to govern, not to spend its time indulging Westminster psychodrama.
“And while our political opponents – not least Nigel Farage and those who would happily reverse the progress we have made – seek to talk Britain down, Labour should never lose confidence in what we have achieved together.”
Labour MP says members are 'livid' about 'stitch-up' to remove Starmer
Sunday 21 June 2026 21:57 , Holly BancroftNeil Coyle, Labour MP for Bermondsey, has said that Sir Keir Starmer is a victim of “an utter stitch-up”.
Posting on X on Sunday, Mr Coyle said: “My members are livid about the prospect of an utter stitch-up and the media circus being rewarded. When the next leader cannot change Trump, Iran, Ukraine, Putin, Musk, broadcast editorial and algorithm bias overnight they’ll bay for his blood too. Better keep that guillotine sharp.”
Burnham would need time to prepare for power, says Labour MP
Sunday 21 June 2026 21:21 , Alex RossAs a nation waits on a potential announcement by Sir Keir Starmer tomorrow, discussions are already taking place over what happens next, with some debating the timeline for Andy Burnham possibly becoming PM.
A source told The Independent that the prime minister is now “working towards” a handover in early September after the summer recess, but MPs have also suggested it could be as early as mid-July.
But Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, has told The Telegraph that Mr Burnham should take the time to prepare properly for power.
He said: “Starmer failed to do this. And as my dad always used to drill into me before exams – fail to prepare then prepare to fail.”
Badenoch played 'critical' role in Tory victory in Aberdeen South
Sunday 21 June 2026 21:09 , Holly BancroftConservative leader Kemi Badenoch played a “critical” role in the party’s victory in the Aberdeen South by-election, Russell Findlay has said.
The Scottish Conservative leader said people in the seat had recognised the vote was “effectively a referendum on oil and gas”, and the victory came after a “huge team effort” from the party.
The Conservatives took Aberdeen South from the SNP in emphatic fashion, with Douglas Lumsden elected as the new MP after winning by more than 6,000 votes.
It was the party’s first by-election victory in Scotland since 1967. Mr Findlay said voters were drawn to the Tories’ message on oil and gas.
He told the BBC’s The Sunday Show: “The people of Aberdeen knew this was effectively a referendum on oil and gas.
“Kemi Badenoch and I are crystal clear. We wanted to give the people of Aberdeen the choice to say No to the net zero madness of Labour and the SNP.
“We want an affordable transition, but it cannot come at the cost of thousands of jobs and destroying an entire industry, and that’s why people came out with record numbers to vote for our candidate, Douglas Lumsden, an oil and gas champion, who will go down to Westminster and take that message directly to Keir Starmer or whoever might be in Downing Street next.”
Former PM Rishi Sunak warns Burnham he must have 'clear plan' of action within hours of arriving in No 10
Sunday 21 June 2026 20:03 , Holly BancroftFormer prime minister Rishi Sunak has warned Andy Burnham that he could see his support drain away if he takes the highest office.
Writing in a column for The Times, the former Tory leader warned that all leaders across Europe are facing pressure to deliver faster than ever.
He said: “Political capital depreciates more quickly than ever before. That Starmer and Merz are both facing such leadership speculation less than two years after winning elections is an illustration of that.
“Burnham must recognise that if he reaches No 10, he’ll never have more power than on his first day in the job. It is vital he has a clear and achievable plan for what he wants to do in those opening hours.”
Analysis: Labour MPs invite to photocall with Burnham feels like a coronation
Sunday 21 June 2026 19:32 , David MaddoxIt is fair to say that when Labour wins a by-election there is usually a photo call invite to Labour MPs when the winner arrives in parliament, writes Political Editor David Maddox.
But this one has been received differently. An invitation for the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) office has gone out for a photo call with Andy Burnham at 3pm in Westminster Hall on Monday.
With an expectation that prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is working up a deal to hand over the leadership of the party and his job as PM over to Mr Burnham the invitation is already being described as "a coronation."
Normally most MPs do not make it to these photo calls but this one is expected to have almost everyone present. The 3pm timing is conveniently after the morning time that the prime minister is expected to make his fateful announcement at the podium in Downing Street that he is to relinquish power.
The only issue now maybe is if enough MPs back an alternative candidate to run against Mr Burnham in a contest. Otherwise the photo call may as well be a coronation.
Waiting till September for Starmer to resign will mean 'Burnham premiership will be defined by Starmer's decisions'
Sunday 21 June 2026 19:07 , Holly BancroftConcerns are growing around suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer could wait until September to step down, despite reports that the prime minister could announce a timetable as early as Monday.
One minister has told The Times that Andy Burnham’s premiership could be “defined by Starmer’s decisions” if the handover does not happen until the autumn.
There are Nato and EU summits next month, where key decisions on defence spending, will need to be made, The Times’s Aubrey Allegretti writes.
One MP said: “A summer of waiting is stupid and incredibly self-indulgent”.
PM 'hasn't yet made decision to quit' - reports
Sunday 21 June 2026 18:27 , Holly BancroftSir Keir Starmer has “genuinely not made a decision to quit” yet, according to ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston.
He has spoken to a cabinet minister today who says that the prime minister hasn’t made a decision either way. Writing in a post on X, Robert Peston said: “The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that - though the minister assumes there is a low probability of such an outcome.
“All this says to me that my Friday judgement still holds, that the uncertainty could drag on to Tuesday, though presumably not longer.”
