VIDEO: British PM Starmer resigns, to address nation outside Downing Street

Sir Keir Starmer is on Monday morning expected to announce that he will set out a timetable for his departure, as his leading challenger Andy Burnham returns to Westminster as an MP.

The prime minister, who spent the weekend discussing his political future with his family at Chequers, is believed to be preparing to unveil his resignation plan amid growing pressure to quit.

No 10 has insisted Sir Keir’s position remained unchanged from Friday, when he said he would not “walk away” from Downing Street and vowed to stand in any potential contest.

However, The Independent understands that Sir Keir has been discussing a plan to hand over the Labour leadership to Burnham, with the new Makerfield MP seeking a transition in September to allow him time to prepare.

It follows a weekend of growing discontent from Labour MPs, with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper understood to become the most senior minister to call on Sir Keir to step down.

Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said on Monday she would be willing to serve under Burnham, but urged her party to be “careful about how we take care of the Labour governments.”

Keir Starmer beside his wife Victoria, as he announces the timeline for his resignation, outside 10 Downing Street, in London, on Monday. Reuters

There are frantic preparations going on Downing Street for Sir Keir Starmer to make his resignation address.

The journalists gathered in the press pen are rushing around making sure they are all set up to capture the expected moment. Sound and lighting tests are taking place across the street.

Downing Street appears to be preparing for Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, with no 10 staff asking all the media gathered on the street to move behind the barriers. Sound equipment has also arrived on the street, as the media waits expectantly for the podium to be put into position in front of the door.

'Not good enough'

Brian Leishman – who represents the Alloa and Grangemouth seat at Westminster and has been a regular critic of Sir Keir Starmer’s Government – said that for Labour, “the bottom line is, it’s just not been good enough” since taking over after the 2024 election.

The MP spoke to BBC Radio Scotland on Monday, as the prime minister appeared to be on the brink of resignation.

“The first two years have been overshadowed by a catalogue of misjudgements, political missteps, a kind of smattering of scandal as well that’s lingered around Keir Starmer’s premiership.

“It’s just not good enough.

“After 14 years of austerity that has crippled and immiserated communities the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, people voted for change and people are not seeing that change or feeling that change quickly enough.”

Future of Starmer

Speculation over Keir Starmer’s future continues amid speculation he will announce a plan to step down as prime minister – with Andy Burnham widely considered a frontrunner to step into the role.

A landslide win of the Makerfield by-election last week put Burnham in line to challenge for prime minister and, if he is, Brits will want to quickly know what that might mean for their finances.

10 Downing Street's staff wait for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to announce the timeline for his resignation outside 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, on Monday. Reuters

We’ve all seen politicians say they plan to do one thing, and ultimately be incapable or unwilling to make it happen – so it remains to be seen if Burnham in No 10 would be able to replicate the success he has seen as mayor of Greater Manchester.

Downing Street has reached fever pitch on Monday morning as pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to resign reaches new heights.

Outside the gates, a lone Restore Britain protester is using a mega phone to shout “we want Starmer out”.

Meanwhile, the press pen outside No 10 is packed out with journalists.

Even the queue to get into Downing Street was out of the door earlier with journalists piling their camera equipment into the security scanners – each of them waiting to see whether the lectern which would signal Sir Keir’s decision to resign is brought out.

'Starmer should continue'

Baroness Jacqui Smith has indicated she would still like Sir Keir Starmer to stay on as prime minister, despite overwhelming pressure for him to resign.

The education minister warned her party to be "really careful" about protecting a Labour government.

“I'm on record as saying that I would like Keir Starmer continue as prime minister,” she told LBC.

She also said she believes the prime minister”has a right” to make a decision about his political future “without perhaps all of the advice that we've got swimming around the Labour Party at the moment.”

Sir Keir Starmer is understood to be discussing a plan to hand over the Labour leadership to Andy Burnham amid a growing belief that he will announce his timetable for departure on Monday.

The former Greater Manchester mayor is understood to want to wait to become prime minister until September and a delay would, according to a source, “allow the prime minister to secure his legacy.” The source said that the prime minister is now “working towards” a handover in early September after the summer recess but MPs suggest it could be as early as mid-July.

In what appeared to be a symbolic moment, Labour MPs on Sunday afternoon received an invite –two emails and a text –telling them to all join Burnham for a photocall in parliament at 3pm on Monday. While described as “normal” for welcoming a by-election winner, one MP noted: “Let the coronation begin.”

The Independent