Keir Starmer is reflecting on the “political realities” he now faces, a Cabinet minister has said, as he failed to rule out the possibility that the UK Prime Minister could resign.
In a clear signal that Mr Starmer is weighing his future, his Business Secretary did not shut down multiple reports that he could set out a timetable for his departure as soon as tomorrow, reports RTE.
The prime minister vowed not to walk away from his post on Friday, in the immediate aftermath of Andy Burnham winning the Makerfield by-election, but pressure has been mounting over the weekend.
US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Mr Starmer would step down from his post, writing: “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!” reports RTE.
The number of Labour MPs calling for Mr Starmer to go has since topped 100 — just under a quarter of the party’s MPs — and includes some who signed a letter warning against a leadership contest just last month.
Labour grandees have also spoken out, with former home secretary Alan Johnson saying Mr Starmer should step aside and Charlie Falconer saying he has “no authority” because it is assumed he will be replaced by Mr Burnham, reports RTE.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle told broadcasters today that he had not spoken to the Prime Minister since Friday, when he had a “frank conversation” with him.
Asked about reports Mr Starmer is planning to announce his resignation as soon as the coming week, he told Sky News: “I have nothing to believe that they are true. I’m seeing a lot of speculation out there, reports RTE.
“The only thing I can say with fact is that the prime minister is hard at work, as he is every day.
“He is one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever come across, and today, as in every other day I’ve ever known Keir, he is out there working hard.
“At the same time he is also trying to create the space where he can think and reflect on the political realities and challenges, and the opportunities, that lie before us,” reports RTE.
He told the BBC that “whatever unfolds” in the coming days will be a “functional process.”
“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, reports RTE.
“But we will find a way for this to be whatever unfolds, a functional process, one where the Labour Party is seen to put the interests of the country first and foremost, and we will carry on delivering for this country through whatever does unfold in the days ahead,” he told the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, reports RTE.
No 10 said Mr Starmer’s position remained unchanged from Friday, when he said he would not “walk away” from Downing Street and would stand in any potential contest.
But asked if the prime minister still plans to fight a leadership challenge, Mr Kyle said “these are decisions for Keir to make” and repeated that the PM was “taking the time to think through what the political realities are today compared to last week, the week before,” reports RTE.
The prime minister is understood to be at Chequers with his wife this weekend and is reportedly reflecting on how to proceed.
A senior ally told The Sun they believe there is “just a 25% chance he fights on now,” while The Observer cited a Labour peer who said they think Mr Starmer sees that “stopping ‘chaos’ is now not possible by staying,” reports RTE.
Senior Labour figures believe a “clear statement” could come as early as tomorrow, according to The Observer.
He warned Labour staffers during a call on Friday lunchtime to avoid “plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement,” reports RTE.
He is understood to have spoken to a number of Cabinet ministers on Friday, some of whom are reported to have told him he should set out a timetable for his departure.
Some in Westminster believe a contest could begin as early as next week, but allies of Mr Burnham favour a longer wait to allow them to prepare for government, reports RTE.
It is understood that Mr Burnham’s camp wants Mr Starmer to set out his plans in the coming days but would accept a timetable that kept him in No 10 until September.
The incoming Makerfield MP is expected to be in Westminster tomorrow to be sworn into the House of Commons and is reportedly planning to speak to Mr Starmer afterwards and present him with a list of backers — which he is said to be seeking to bring to 200 — in a bid to press him to step down and set out a transition, reports RTE.
In a blow to Mr Starmer, Labour peer Charlie Falconer said he has “absolutely no authority” because “everybody assumes” Mr Burnham is going to challenge him and win.
He said he would advise Mr Starmer not to stand in a leadership contest and instead agree a handover, preferably before the parliamentary recess on 16 July, reports RTE.
Former deputy leader Harriet Harman said there was a “sense of collective movement” from within Labour and that she expected Mr Starmer to leave office and for Mr Burnham to take his place.
She urged the party to move faster than aiming for a September timetable, telling a Sky News podcast that ministers could not be left “in a state of paralysis all through the summer,” reports RTE.
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