Daily Mail: Starmer Will Resign but on His Own Terms
Labour leader Keir Starmer is signaling his planned resignation amid internal strife and resignations, aiming for a dignified exit while Tory allies maneuver ahead of upcoming by-elections.
Keir Starmer has informed close associates that he intends to resign as Prime Minister and set a timetable for his departure.
According to a member of the cabinet, Starmer understands that the current turmoil cannot continue. He wants to leave with dignity, choosing the manner and timing himself. It is not yet clear when the announcement will be made, as some of his allies urge him to first await the results from the opinion polls ahead of the upcoming by-election in Makerfield.
The situation remains fluid. Andy Davis Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, appears ready to return to Parliament, with Josh Simmons resigning from his Makerfield seat to clear the way for him. Burnham’s camp prefers that there be no premature announcement from Starmer, so that the June 18 contest is not complicated.
Internal Tensions and Resignations
Throughout the week, the mood within Starmer’s team shifted from moment to moment. After a series of resignations by junior ministers, the Prime Minister began discussing with senior officials ways to manage a smooth transition. However, aggressive leaks against him, especially from circles close to Home Secretary Sabina Mahmood, provoked a strong reaction.
Josh Simmons, a former close aide to Starmer and director of the think tank Labour Together, published an article in The Times stating that the Prime Minister cannot meet the circumstances and should oversee a smooth transition. This move was considered particularly painful for Starmer.
The Timeline of the Crisis
On Thursday, Downing Street was hoping for positive news on the economy and NHS waiting lists to regain some initiative. However, this was followed by the resignation of Wes Streeting from the cabinet and Simmons’ announcement. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jane Reeve, in an interview, used the term “I” instead of “the Prime Minister and I,” a move interpreted as distancing herself from Starmer.
Meanwhile, attempts were made to block Burnham’s candidacy by the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), but vice-chair Lucy Powell organized a swift consultation that concluded before Downing Street could react.
Sources close to Starmer describe the situation as the end of his political endurance. After suffering blows from those he considered allies, the British Prime Minister now appears to accept that his leadership is coming to an end.
