Britain’s Observer newspaper reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was expected to resign on Monday, 22 June ’26. The report also set out a timetable for his departure. However, a government source stated that Starmer continued to concentrate on fulfilling his governing duties.
The threat to Starmer’s position has been building for months. It increased sharply on Friday 19 June. This was when his rival Andy Burnham won a seat in parliament that may permit him to launch a formal leadership challenge.
The Observer reported that Starmer was discussing the matter with his wife at his Chequers country residence before making a final decision. Senior labor figures expected a clear statement on his future as early as Monday, 22 June.
A government source shared that Starmer remained focused on his job. Also, he pointed to previous statements he had made to that effect.
The British leader said on Friday, 19 June, that he would fight any challenge to his leadership. He also urged Labor not to tear itself apart with infighting.
Starmer’s popularity has plummeted
Starmer led the center-left Labour Party to a landslide election win two years ago in ’24. However, he has lately become deeply unpopular after a series of scandals besides policy U-turns that have given many voters an overall impression that he cannot deliver the improvement to their standards of living that he promised.
If Starmer resigns or faces removal, the country could appoint its seventh prime minister in just over a decade. That’s the highest turnover in nearly two centuries. It reflects public anger with successive governments’ failure to improve public services. Additionally, the government is addressing issues such as illegal immigration.
According to a Reuters tally, more than 100 elected lawmakers in Starmer’s party, making up roughly a quarter of Labour representatives in the House of Commons, have publicly stated that they want Starmer to quit or set a timetable for his exit.
