Starmer to Announce Resignation Plan as Burnham Heads to...

Speculation Intensifies Over Sir Keir Starmer's Future

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 arrives in Westminster. 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.

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.

Donald Trump Weighs In On UK Leadership

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!).

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.

Westminster Media Focus On Downing Street

It'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 than 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. A government minister has confirmed Sir Keir Starmer is thinking really hard about his political future as Andy Burnham returns to Parliament.

Andy Burnham's Parliamentary Return And Background

Former 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.

Elected 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.

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.

Divisions Over Potential Handover Timeline

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.

According 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.

Labour Party Reactions And Next Steps

Baroness Jacqui Smith confirmed that Sir Keir is thinking really hard about his political future amid the arrival of Andy Burnham in Westminster. The education minister noted that discussions have centred on what serves the good of the country, even as pressure from within the Parliamentary Labour Party continues to build.

Reports indicate that foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has become the most senior minister to urge Sir Keir to step down, adding to the weekend of discontent among Labour MPs. The prime minister's family discussions at Chequers over the weekend appear to have informed his current considerations about a potential resignation plan.

With Andy Burnham now elected as the MP for Makerfield following Thursday's by-election, attention in Westminster has turned to how any leadership transition might unfold. The new MP's previous roles, including nine years as Greater Manchester mayor and earlier service in governments led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, provide context for his positioning as a potential successor.