Silent Coup Haunts UK PM, Keir Starmer's Fate Hanging in the Balance

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Labour Party, currently in power in the United Kingdom, is reportedly being shaken by internal political plots and infighting aimed at ousting the Prime Minister. Citing an Al Jazeera report on Monday (18/0ޮ5/2026), Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a ‘silent coup’ moving slowly from within his own party, which threatens to plunge the UK into weeks of leadership uncertainty.

Pressure for the head of government to resign is intensifying as confidence among Members of Parliament declines. The opposition has openly criticised the Prime Minister’s perceived loss of authority in managing the government in London. “The PM has shown that he is in office but does not hold power,” asserted Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, echoing historical political power struggles in the UK.

Unlike the Conservatives, who are known for efficiently removing their leaders—such as Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson—the Labour Party possesses much more complex internal struggle mechanisms. Party rules require at least 20% support from MPs to trigger a leadership re-election, and the formation of internal factions often leads to failed coups due to a lack of decisive executors.

Political analysts note that recent local election results on 7 May, which saw the loss of 1,498 council seats across the UK, have triggered mass panic within the Cabinet. There are growing fears that Starmer lacks the momentum to defeat the Reform Party in upcoming elections. This turbulence peaked on 14 May with a wave of ministerial resignations as a form of open protest.

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, in his resignation letter, stated that it was clear Starmer would not lead the Labour Party to the next general election and called for a debate on the party’s ideological direction. Streeting has also confirmed his readiness to contest the leadership race.

Interestingly, the figure most widely tipped to succeed Starmer is Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, often referred to as the ‘King of the North’. According to recent YouGov polls, Burnham holds a high popularity rating, contrasting sharply with Starmer’s declining approval. Burnham’s path to Westminster is opening up following the announcement of a by-election in Makerfield on 18 June.

If Burnham secures the seat, ministers believe a transition of power at Downing Street could occur rapidly. However, during the by-election process, the UK government’s position is expected to remain unstable due to the perceived loss of leadership legitimacy. Political editor Robert Peston noted that Starmer has effectively become a ‘lame duck’ Prime Minister, whose policy pronouncements are increasingly drowned out by speculation regarding his departure.