UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly set to resign Monday, though sources close to him contend he’s focused on the job.
Starmer is said to be discussing his political future with his wife, Victoria, before laying out a timetable for his departure from 10 Downing St. next week, according to The Observer.
The news comes after Starmer rival Andy Burnham won a seat in parliament in a special election in Greater Manchester.
A senior UK government figure told Reuters that Starmer is focused on his job – and claimed the prime minister isn’t going anywhere.
Burnham, who has made two previous runs at heading the Labour Party, is said to have the support of over half the Labour MPs to mount a leadership challenge to Starmer, the outlet reported.
The two are set to meet next week.
“Keir has realised the game is up and it’s got to be a graceful exit,” a senior Labour figure told Reuters The Observer.
“What he rightly wants to avoid is humiliation, but the worst humiliation for Keir personally would be if he stands in a leadership election and is heavily beaten.”
Burnham, who was mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017-2026, was once associated with the centrist pro-business faction of the Labour Party, but now presents himself as a left-wing populist and is known for his Mamdani-like man on the street social media videos.
He received 55% of the vote, walloping Labour’s main rival, the Reform Party, headed by Brexiteer Nigel Farrage.
Starmer has faced dismal approval ratings as Britain deals with economic and immigration issues.
He has frequently clashed with President Trump – particularly after he refused to come to the aid of the United States in the war against Iran.
“I’m not happy with the UK either… this is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” Trump said of Starmer in March after tensions between the two leaders came to a boil.
Trump was frustrated by Starmer’s refusal to allow U.S. planes to launch from the joint U.S.-U.K. airbase in Diego Garcia and other U.K. bases in the region.
He ultimately allowed the U.S. access to Diego Garcia, but not after several tongue-lashings from the commander in chief.
“We were not involved in the initial strikes against Iran, and we will not join offensive action now. But in the face of Iran’s barrage of missiles and drones, we will protect our people in the region,” Starmer said in March.
