British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce his timetable for stepping down on Monday, according to reports, suggesting the move will begin the process of appointing the country’s seventh leader in 10 years.
Andy Burnham, the former Labor mayor of Greater Manchester, is seen as a potential candidate to replace Mr Starmer after he won a special election in the northwest of England last week, allowing him to return to parliament.
Following the result, Mr Starmer initially vowed to fight any leadership challenge. But speculation mounted over the weekend that Mr Starmer might resign.
A number of senior British government officials have reportedly asked the Prime Minister to spell out his withdrawal plans, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoud and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
The prime minister’s authority over the ruling Labor Party has been steadily eroded by a crushing defeat in last month’s local elections, as well as a series of low poll numbers.
Mr Starmer’s resignation will pave the way for Mr Burnham, who is due to be sworn into parliament later on Monday, to succeed him as Labor Party leader and UK Prime Minister.
Mr Burnham’s landslide victory in last week’s Makerfield by-election further strengthened his position within the party, making a leadership contest less likely and leaving him poised to enter Downing Street unopposed.
US President Donald Trump said in a post on TruthSocial on Sunday that Starmer would resign.
“He has blundered on two very important topics: immigration and energy (open up North Sea oil!),” President Trump said in the post.
