British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly weighing whether to resign from office as pressure builds within the Labour Party following a bruising by-election result that has exposed deep divisions over his leadership.
Starmer spent the weekend at Chequers in discussions with his wife, Victoria, reflecting on his political future after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham secured a commanding 55 per cent of the vote in Makerfield — a result that emboldened critics within the party who believe a change at the top is overdue.
Sources close to the Prime Minister said he was weighing up “what is best for the country” and feared that a bitter leadership contest could plunge both the party and government into damaging instability. One senior ally put the odds of him staying on at just 25 per cent.
Although Starmer has publicly insisted he intends to remain in office and fight any leadership challenge, Labour insiders say his position has been significantly weakened. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is among senior figures said to have advised him to set a departure timetable to allow for an orderly transition.
The by-election outcome has fuelled speculation that Burnham — widely seen as a stronger opponent to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage — could mount a serious leadership bid ahead of the next general election.
However, the Prime Minister’s predicament has laid bare a deeply fractured party. While critics say he has become politically isolated, loyalists warn that forcing him out risks triggering internal chaos and handing ammunition to the opposition.
“If colleagues choose to go head first into a new leadership trap now, the opposition will seize it, there will be a general election, and we will lose MPs following the 2024 high,” one Labour MP cautioned.
Some MPs also pushed back against any attempt to install Burnham as leader without a formal contest.
A Labour frontbencher was blunt in their assessment: “The PM just doesn’t have many friends left. He is the problem. If Andy Burnham wasn’t challenging him, someone else would be.”
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