British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to decide within hours whether to begin the process of stepping down after mounting pressure from Labour MPs, with rival Andy Burnham preparing to be sworn in as a member of Parliament on Monday.
Senior ministers said Starmer spent the weekend reflecting on his political future after days of intense speculation over his leadership. His office had not confirmed whether he would make a public statement on Monday morning.
Education minister Jacqui Smith said Starmer had been thinking carefully about what was best for the country but declined to say whether he had reached a final decision.
The pressure intensified after Burnham won the Makerfield by election, clearing the final hurdle needed to return to Westminster. Under Labour rules, only an MP can serve as party leader, making Monday’s swearing in a significant step toward a possible leadership challenge.
Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, has signalled he intends to seek the Labour leadership, saying the party has a final opportunity to change direction. His victory has fuelled growing calls within Labour for a change at the top after months of poor polling, internal divisions and disappointing election results.
Starmer had repeatedly insisted he would fight any challenge, but reports now suggest he is considering setting out a timetable for his departure instead of forcing a leadership contest. Several British media outlets reported that discussions over an orderly transition took place during the weekend.
If Starmer steps aside, Britain would have its seventh prime minister in a decade, continuing an extraordinary period of political instability. Labour’s commanding majority in Parliament means the party’s next leader would be expected to become prime minister without a general election.
