Blab Politics
Keir Starmer Faces Resignation as Andy Burnham Sworn In as MP
On June 22, 2026, the UK Parliament will witness a potential shake‑up as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is poised to resign, coinciding with former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham taking his seat after a landslide victory in the Makerfield by‑election. The two events are set to unfold on the same day, creating a dramatic intersection of leadership change and parliamentary representation.
The Makerfield result, held on June 18, saw Burnham secure 54.8 % of the vote, outpacing the Reform UK candidate by more than 9,000 votes. The by‑election was triggered by the resignation of the previous Labour MP, Josh Simons, who stepped down to allow Burnham to stand. Burnham’s win has been described by his campaign as a “landslide” and has cleared the path for a leadership challenge within the Labour Party.
Under Labour rules, the party leader must be a Member of Parliament. With the party’s parliamentary majority at 403 seats, a new leader would become Prime Minister by default unless another candidate emerges. If Starmer steps down, the party would likely appoint a new leader at its upcoming conference in late September.
Sources close to the Prime Minister say that Starmer spent the weekend at Chequers, the country retreat for the head of government, with his wife, Victoria, and senior aides. Business Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News that Starmer was “making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in”. The Guardian reported that Starmer and his inner circle were working on a resignation speech, with a timetable that would keep him in office until after the summer.
More than 100 of Labour’s 403 MPs have reportedly urged Starmer to resign. Senior ministers, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, have reportedly told him to step down. The BBC noted that the “signs are growing” that Starmer could set out a plan to resign today.
Starmer’s tenure has been marked by a series of policy reversals, ministerial resignations and a decline in public approval. An Ipsos poll in November 2025 recorded his net approval at –46 %, the lowest for a UK prime minister since the organisation began tracking ratings in 1977. Labour’s performance in local and regional elections has also suffered, with significant losses in England, Scotland and Wales.
Burnham, who has been a Member of Parliament for Leigh from 2001 to 2017 and served as Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 to 2026, has indicated that he intends to seek the Labour leadership. In his victory speech, he warned that the party had a “final chance to change”. If elected, he would likely replace Finance Minister Rachel Reeves while keeping Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood in place.
The United States has also weighed in. President Donald Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, said that Starmer would resign, citing failures on immigration and energy policy.
At this stage, no formal resignation has been announced. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the leadership contest, which is expected to be decided at the party’s September conference. Until then, Starmer is expected to remain in office.
The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of a leadership challenge or a formal resignation. The public and political observers will be watching closely as the Labour Party prepares for a potential transition of power.
The Makerfield result, held on June 18, saw Burnham secure 54.8 % of the vote, outpacing the Reform UK candidate by more than 9,000 votes. The by‑election was triggered by the resignation of the previous Labour MP, Josh Simons, who stepped down to allow Burnham to stand. Burnham’s win has been described by his campaign as a “landslide” and has cleared the path for a leadership challenge within the Labour Party.
Under Labour rules, the party leader must be a Member of Parliament. With the party’s parliamentary majority at 403 seats, a new leader would become Prime Minister by default unless another candidate emerges. If Starmer steps down, the party would likely appoint a new leader at its upcoming conference in late September.
Sources close to the Prime Minister say that Starmer spent the weekend at Chequers, the country retreat for the head of government, with his wife, Victoria, and senior aides. Business Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News that Starmer was “making time to reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in”. The Guardian reported that Starmer and his inner circle were working on a resignation speech, with a timetable that would keep him in office until after the summer.
More than 100 of Labour’s 403 MPs have reportedly urged Starmer to resign. Senior ministers, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, have reportedly told him to step down. The BBC noted that the “signs are growing” that Starmer could set out a plan to resign today.
Starmer’s tenure has been marked by a series of policy reversals, ministerial resignations and a decline in public approval. An Ipsos poll in November 2025 recorded his net approval at –46 %, the lowest for a UK prime minister since the organisation began tracking ratings in 1977. Labour’s performance in local and regional elections has also suffered, with significant losses in England, Scotland and Wales.
Burnham, who has been a Member of Parliament for Leigh from 2001 to 2017 and served as Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 to 2026, has indicated that he intends to seek the Labour leadership. In his victory speech, he warned that the party had a “final chance to change”. If elected, he would likely replace Finance Minister Rachel Reeves while keeping Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood in place.
The United States has also weighed in. President Donald Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, said that Starmer would resign, citing failures on immigration and energy policy.
At this stage, no formal resignation has been announced. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the leadership contest, which is expected to be decided at the party’s September conference. Until then, Starmer is expected to remain in office.
The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of a leadership challenge or a formal resignation. The public and political observers will be watching closely as the Labour Party prepares for a potential transition of power.
