UK PM Starmer Reportedly to Resign Today, Who Will Succeed Him?

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to set a schedule for his resignation on Monday (22/6/2026). The process will see the kingdom appoint a new leader, the seventh in 10 years.

Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who belongs to the Labour Party, is tipped as the favourite to replace Starmer. He won a by-election in the northwest of England last week, which will see him return to parliament.

Following that result, Starmer initially pledged to fight any leadership challenge. However, speculation that Starmer might step down intensified over the weekend.

A number of senior government ministers have reportedly urged the PM to outline his plans. These include Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

A crushing defeat in last month’s local elections, coupled with persistently poor polling results, had gradually eroded Starmer’s authority over the ruling Labour Party. Starmer’s resignation would clear the way for Burnham, who will be sworn in as an MP on Monday afternoon, to replace him as Labour leader and Prime Minister.

Burnham’s landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election last week further strengthened his position within the party. This makes a leadership contest unlikely and positions him to enter Downing Street unopposed.

US President Donald Trump said in a TruthSocial post on Sunday that Starmer would resign. “He failed totally on two very important things-IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN THE NORTH SEA FOR OIL!),” Trump said in the post.