Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, is facing the most serious threat to his leadership since he won a landslide election two years ago. Over 100 Labour MPs have called for his resignation, and the man who could replace him, Andy Burnham, just won a decisive by-election victory in Makerfield. Starmer spent the weekend at Chequers with his family, reportedly considering his future, and Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC the PM is "taking the time to think through what the political realities are today." Downing Street has denied reports that Starmer will set out a timetable for resignation on Monday, but the pressure is relentless.
The basics of this crisis are straightforward: Keir Starmer, Labour leader since 2020 and prime minister since 2024, is under intense pressure to quit after a series of poor polls, internal unrest, and a by-election defeat that saw Andy Burnham – a former Labour cabinet minister and mayor of Greater Manchester – win the seat of Makerfield with a resounding majority. Burnham's victory has galvanised Labour MPs who want a change at the top. Starmer has said he will stand in any leadership contest, but reports suggest he may instead agree to step down on a timetable of his own choosing. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander are among cabinet members who have privately urged him to set a departure date.
“Explains the UK leadership crisis facing Keir Starmer and the rise of Andy Burnham.”
To understand why this is happening, you need to look at the history. Starmer became Labour leader after Jeremy Corbyn's defeat in 2019, positioning himself as a figure of stability after years of Conservative chaos. He led Labour to a massive parliamentary majority in the 2024 general election, but the party's poll ratings have since slumped. Critics say the government has lost momentum, failed to deliver on its promises, and alienated working-class voters who turned to Reform UK. Starmer's problems have been building for months, driven by complaints that the government is out of touch. The by-election in Makerfield – a former mining constituency near Wigan – became a flashpoint. Andy Burnham, who had been mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, resigned from that post to run for parliament. His campaign successfully reunited progressive urban voters with soft-Conservative and ex-Reform supporters, winning a decisive victory and giving Labour MPs the opportunity to demand change.
For UK readers, this matters because it directly affects how the country is run. A change in prime minister would be the sixth in a decade, continuing a pattern of instability that has characterised British politics since the Brexit referendum. It would also raise questions about whether a new leader would call an early general election, or about the direction of the Labour Party. The crisis also highlights a deeper issue: the difficulty of governing in an era of populist anger, low trust in politicians, and a volatile electoral landscape. If Andy Burnham becomes PM, he would need to address the same deep-seated problems – immigration, energy security, the cost of living – that have plagued his predecessor.
Q: Why is Keir Starmer being forced to resign? More than 100 Labour MPs have called for his resignation after Andy Burnham's decisive by-election win in Makerfield. The rebellion was triggered by poor polling and a feeling that Starmer has failed to regain momentum after Labour's 2024 landslide. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said Starmer is "reflecting" on the "political realities."
Q: Who is Andy Burnham and why does he want to be prime minister? Andy Burnham is a former Labour cabinet minister who served as mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 to 2026. He grew in confidence as mayor, communicating well and positioning himself as a figure who understands post-industrial northern England. By winning Makerfield in a by-election, he has become the frontrunner to replace Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.
Q: What would happen if Starmer resigns? If Starmer steps down, Labour would hold a leadership election. Andy Burnham is expected to stand and is widely seen as the most likely successor. The new leader would become prime minister without a general election, although they could choose to call one. US President Donald Trump has said Starmer "will resign" and blamed his problems on immigration and energy policy.
What happens next is uncertain. Starmer has until Tuesday morning's cabinet meeting to decide his future, according to party insiders. He may announce a resignation timetable or trigger a leadership contest by refusing to go quietly. Andy Burnham is expected to meet Starmer early in the week, and may urge him to set a departure date. However the crisis ends, the UK is heading for its sixth prime minister in a decade, continuing a cycle of instability that shows no sign of breaking.