Donald Trump fired a bitter parting shot at Keir Starmer today, posting on Truth Social: “Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”
The outburst, still clearly wounded by their feud over Iran, marked a sharp deterioration in what had previously been a cordial relationship. The rift began after the UK refused to let America launch offensive strikes on Iran from bases on British soil. A personally affronted Trump repeatedly complained about Starmer’s snub, saying the PM was “no Winston Churchill”.
“Donald Trump posts that Keir Starmer 'will resign' as PM, citing failures on immigration and energy, as pressure mounts on Starmer.”
Trump’s grumpy tirade about Starmer’s failures also reflects his long-running vendetta against wind farms – a grudge that stems from the Scottish government erecting turbines off the coast of Aberdeen next to his luxury golf course. Restarting North Sea drilling would almost certainly benefit American companies bidding for licences, and Trump has frequently moaned about the UK’s decision to halt licences.
Domestically, pressure on Starmer has been mounting. Yvette Cooper is now among senior cabinet figures believed to have advised him to leave. The PM is believed to have consulted with his wife, Victoria, and children over his future and, according to sources, may be preparing to set out an exit plan as early as Monday. Until now, allies of the PM and No 10 had insisted that he would fight any challenge to his leadership.
If Sir Keir resigns on Monday, Britain will be set for its seventh prime minister in 10 years, with Andy Burnham – who recently regained a seat in Parliament – the current favourite to replace him. But Burnham has been warned not to become leader “by default” by someone whose lack of authority cut short his own tenure in No 10. Former Tory Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote in the Sunday Times that Mr Burnham would not have more power than on his first day in the job, and that being a “better communicator” would not be enough to make his tenure a success. “It is vital he has a clear and achievable plan for what he wants to do in those opening hours”, the Conservative MP for Richmond and Northallerton wrote.
Sir Keir vowed not to walk away from his post on Friday, in the immediate aftermath of Burnham winning the Makerfield by-election, but pressure has been mounting over the weekend. The number of Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir to go has since topped 100 – just under a quarter of the party’s MPs – and includes some who signed a letter warning against a leadership contest just last month. Labour grandees have also spoken out, with former home secretary Alan Johnson saying Sir Keir should step aside and Lord Falconer saying he has “no authority” because it is assumed he will be replaced by Burnham.