Keir Starmer reportedly considering stepping down as UK prime minister
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may face leadership challenge amid domestic troubles
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces serious domestic pressure following Andy Burnham’s special election victory, potentially triggering a leadership race. Starmer has been under fire over economic pressures, illegal immigration issues and controversy over his previous role in investigating grooming gangs. Elon Musk also accused Starmer of complicity.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly considering resigning and could announce a timetable for his departure as early as Monday, according to a report published on Saturday.
Britain’s Observer newspaper reported that Starmer was discussing his future with his wife at the Checkers country house before making a final decision.
The publication said senior Labor figures are expecting an announcement as early as next week.
A government source told Reuters that Starmer remains focused on governance, noting his previous comments promising to stay in office.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer awaits Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Reuters via AP)
Fox News Digital has reached out to the prime minister’s office for comment.
Pressure on Starmer has been mounting for months amid growing dissatisfaction within his party and concerns about the government’s handling of the economy and cost of living issues.
The political threat to Starmer intensified on Friday after his rival Andy Burnham won a seat in Parliament, putting him in a position to mount a formal leadership challenge.
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Britain’s Labor candidate Andy Burnham speaks to supporters after the Makerfield by-election in Ashton, Makerfield, England, on Friday. (Jon Super/AP)
Starmer congratulated Burnham after the victory, writing to X that voters “chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hatred.”
Asked about Burnham’s desire to replace him, Starmer insisted he plans to remain in the job.
“I have said many times that I will not give up on this,” Starmer said.
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Sir Keir Starmer is fighting to retain his position and refuses to step aside despite dozens of Labout MPs demanding his resignation. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Starmer has led the Labor Party since 2020 and becomes prime minister in 2024.
Calls for his resignation intensified last month; More than 100 Labor MPs were publicly calling on him to step aside or set a timetable for his departure. Some parliamentary aides also resigned in protest.
The internal rebellion follows a series of disappointing local election results, with Labor losing hundreds of council seats across England, surrendering long-held ground in Wales and falling behind political rivals in Scotland.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks at a press conference in Downing Street in London on March 5. (Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg, via Getty Images, File)
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Starmer’s popularity has also waned due to the persistently high cost of living, slow economic growth and criticism of his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.
James Cirrone and Emma Bussey of Fox News Digital and Reuters contributed to this report.
