Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly weighing a resignation, according to Daily Mail journalist Dan Hodges, who cites an unnamed cabinet minister as saying the leader wants to “step down in a dignified way” and set his own timetable.
Starmer, who assumed office after Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 general election, now faces falling approval ratings, internal factionalism and criticism following a poor showing in recent local elections. The same source told Hodges that Starmer “understands the political reality” and sees the current turmoil as unsustainable, prompting him to consider a departure on his own terms.
The timing of any announcement remains uncertain. Some senior Labour figures have urged Starmer to wait until after the upcoming Makerfield by‑election, where former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is expected to run and could signal a leadership challenge. Pressure on the prime minister intensified after four junior ministers quit on Monday, and more than 80 Labour MPs have, in private or publicly, called for his exit. Nonetheless, over 100 backbenchers and junior ministers later signed a statement arguing that the party cannot afford a leadership contest at this moment.
Starmer has publicly denied any intention to resign, stating that the government must continue to govern and that “the country expects us to get on with governing.” He has emphasized a commitment to maintaining cabinet stability while the party navigates its internal disputes.
The episode adds to a pattern of political instability in the United Kingdom that began after the 2016 Brexit referendum, during which three Conservative prime ministers—Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss—departed amid party rebellions. Starmer’s potential exit would mark the first Labour leader to resign under similar circumstances since the party’s 2019 defeat.
If Starmer does announce a resignation, the Labour Party would be required to hold a leadership election, a process that could take several weeks and would be shaped by the outcome of the Makerfield by‑election. The prospective contest would likely see figures such as Burnham and other senior MPs positioning themselves for a bid, while the party’s moderate wing seeks to restore cohesion and public confidence.
The situation underscores the fragility of the current government and the challenges Labour faces in delivering its agenda while managing internal dissent. Observers will watch closely for any formal statement from Starmer in the coming days, which could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next general election.
