Starmer weighs resignation, may set timetable as soon as Monday

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering stepping down and could announce a timetable for his departure as early as Monday, according to a report published Saturday.

Britain's Observer newspaper reported that Starmer was discussing his future with his wife at his Chequers country residence before making a final decision. Senior Labour Party figures expect a statement addressing his future as early as next week.

A government source told Reuters that Starmer remains focused on governing and pointed to previous comments in which he vowed to remain in office.

Pressure on Starmer has been building for months amid growing dissatisfaction within his party and concerns over the government's handling of the economy and cost-of-living issues. The political threat intensified Friday after rival Andy Burnham won a seat in Parliament, positioning him to mount a formal leadership challenge.

Starmer congratulated Burnham on the victory, writing on X that voters "chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate." When asked about Burnham's apparent ambitions to replace him, Starmer insisted he intends to remain in office.

"I've said repeatedly I'm not going to walk away from that," Starmer said.

Starmer has led the Labour Party since 2020 and became prime minister in 2024. Calls for his resignation intensified last month, with more than 100 Labour lawmakers publicly urging him to step aside or set out a timetable for his departure. Several parliamentary aides also resigned in protest.

The internal revolt followed a series of disappointing local election results for Labour, which lost hundreds of council seats across England, surrendered long-held ground in Wales and fell behind political rivals in Scotland.

Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.