Keir Starmer Reportedly Faces Pressure to Resign as UK Prime Minister, Here's the Scenario

A media report indicates that there is a possibility of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigning and handing over his position to the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham. This could happen if Burnham successfully wins the by-election in the Makerfield constituency, according to The Telegraph on Friday (15/05/2026).

Nearly 100 British MPs are urging for Starmer’s resignation after the Labour Party suffered a major defeat in recent local elections. Several cabinet ministers have also resigned in protest against Starmer, including the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Wes Streeting, who is known to be a major rival of the UK Prime Minister.

Burnham, one of the other challengers to PM Starmer, plans to run for a seat in parliament, which would allow him to trigger a new prime ministerial election.

Meanwhile, figures close to Starmer are urging the PM not to announce his resignation before the by-election takes place on June 18. This is because a resignation before that date could trigger “chaos” in the election for the leader of the Labour Party, according to The Telegraph.

The report also mentions that senior Labour figures Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband may be willing to hold back their leadership ambitions in order to support Burnham, if he succeeds in winning the by-election and triggers a new party leadership election.