British Prime Minister Keir Starmer gestures while talking to local residents during a visit to a housing development in northwest London on June 19, 2026. A formal challenge to the prime minister’s leadership is likely to be raised in the near future. (Photo by Peter MACDIARMID/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Peter McDiarmid AFP | Getty Images
UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle said Prime Minister Keir Starmer was reflecting on “political realities” after party rival Andy Burnham was elected to Parliament, setting up a potential leadership challenge.
Mr Kyle told broadcasters on Sunday he had no reason to believe Mr Starmer planned to announce his resignation on Monday, but said it would be “delusional” not to think his position was under threat.
“Today, like every other day I’ve known Keir, he’s out there working hard. At the same time, he’s trying to create a space for us to think and reflect on the political realities, challenges and opportunities before us,” Kyle said in an interview with Sky News.
Kyle did not repeat Downing Street’s recent refrain that Starmer intends to fight every challenge.
Burnham is waiting in the wings.
Threats to Mr Starmer’s position, which have been building for months, escalated sharply on Friday when former Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham won a seat in parliament, allowing him to mount a formal leadership challenge.
Mr Starmer’s unpopularity was exposed by his party’s crushing defeat in local elections in May, with polls of Labor members suggesting Mr Burnham would win those elections.
The Observer newspaper reported late on Saturday that Mr Starmer had discussed his future with his wife at his country residence in Checkers before making a final decision, and Labor leaders expected a clear statement to be made as early as Monday.
In response to the report, government officials said the prime minister remains focused on continuing the job of governing.
ASHTON, MAKERSFIELD, UK – JUNE 19: Former Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, speaks to celebrate his victory in yesterday’s Makerfield by-election at Ashton Town Football Club in Ashton, Makerfield, UK, on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Christopher Furlong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Asked about reports that Mr Starmer was preparing to resign, Mr Kyle told Sky News: “I can’t believe any of them are true. I see a lot of speculation out there.”
Mr Kyle did not go into detail about what he described as a candid conversation with Mr Starmer on Friday, saying in a lengthy statement: “I never…asked about self-interest. It was always about the country.”
In a subsequent interview with the BBC, Mr Kyle admitted Mr Starmer’s position was under threat.
“I don’t want to come here and have any delusions that there’s no process, that there aren’t forces at work to challenge the prime minister as leader. That’s clearly the case,” he said.
Former minister Jess Phillips, a supporter of Mr Starmer’s other leading challenger, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, told the BBC: “It feels like we are at the end of the road” and that it was best for Mr Starmer’s resignation to be “as dignified as possible”.
Mr Starmer had previously said he would run for the formal leadership of the Labor Party seeking to replace him.
A leadership candidate needs the support of 81 Labor MPs (one-fifth of incumbent MPs) to mount a formal challenge.
