Sir Keir Starmer could set out a timetable for his resignation as early as Monday, according to reports, as the Labour leader faces a mounting revolt after Andy Burnham’s decisive by-election victory in Makerfield. Downing Street denied the reports on Saturday night, but senior Labour figures believe a “clear statement” on his departure could come within days, with The Observer reporting that he has reached the conclusion he cannot continue as leader.
Starmer spent the weekend at Chequers considering his future, while allies told The Sunday Telegraph that he has realised the “game is up” and is now planning how to “shore up his legacy”. Insiders told The Independent that he faces a “hard deadline” of Tuesday morning’s cabinet meeting to step down. A senior ally told The Sun that there is “just a 25 per cent chance he fights on now”.
“Starmer reportedly set to announce resignation timetable as soon as Monday after Burnham's by-election win.”
Despite the pressure, Starmer has publicly insisted he will not “walk away”. During a call with Labour staff on Friday lunchtime, he warned against “plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement”. He also appeared on television confirming he would stand if there is a leadership contest, and used the call to warn Burnham — without naming him directly — against triggering instability.
But the Burnham camp is hoping Starmer will “come to his senses” on his own over the weekend, as one ally put it, avoiding the messiness of mass resignations. Cabinet ministers who support Burnham have been told “not to resign” by his team, but instead to tell Starmer he needs to set out a timetable. “Don’t get trigger happy, right?” one Burnham insider told The Sunday Times. “Go and speak to [Starmer] and tell him in no uncertain terms that he needs to set out a timetable.”
Ministers including transport secretary Heidi Alexander and the chief whip have already told Starmer he should resign. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Starmer’s supporters have approached Labour MPs with small majorities to warn them that Burnham would call an early general election and put their seats at risk. “The sense of duty has settled on Keir,” an ally said. “You can’t hand No 10 over to someone just because they ask you to. That’s not grown up.”
Starmer has a leadership campaign ready, including a “war chest” of £100,000+ donations and a bank account to receive further funding. Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, wrote to cabinet ministers this week asking for detailed reports on what their departments have done to improve lives of working people — a move interpreted as preparation for a contest fought on the idea that Starmer has delivered substantial change.
The weekend is being seen as a “grace period” for Starmer to make his decision. Whether he will go or fight remains unclear, but the pressure shows no sign of abating.