Signs grow that Starmer will set out timetable to resign as mood in government shifts

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Signs grow that Starmer will set out timetable to resign as mood in government shifts12 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleNick Eardley ,Political correspondentandHenry Zeffman ,Chief political correspondentGetty / PA MediaThe signs are growing that Monday could see the prime minister set out a plan to stand down. Sir Keir Starmer has always insisted he will not walk away and will fight any leadership challenge. But the mood in government has shifted in the past 48 hours.

Several government insiders now think that the prime minister could announce a timetable to quit - as soon as Monday. The signs were clear that things are moving quickly in what Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the this morning. The prime minister, he said, would do "what is in the best interests of the country".

The Details

Sir Keir, he added, was reflecting on the challenges he faces and political realities. The challenges for the prime minister have been steadily growing for some time. Follow live updatesLeadership uncertainty 'enormously disruptive', former top civil servant warnsLabour MPs argue the problem isn't necessarily the party, it's the man at the top.

They believe the prime minister is personally unpopular - and that it is Sir Keir who is holding his party back. The result of the Makerfield by-election looks set to be straw that breaks the camel's back. Andy Burnham's victory wasn't even close - he beat Reform comfortably.

For Labour MPs despairing about how they take the fight to Nigel Farage's party, they now have a leadership contender who can argue he has a track record of doing exactly that. Dozens of MPs had already said Sir Keir should quit. That list has grown since Thursday, with senior cabinet ministers adding their voices privately.

What Experts Say

The fact that it is known that ministers including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander have told the prime minister to go and yet they remain in their jobs speaks volumes about how Starmer's authority has collapsed. Burnham is now the overwhelming favourite to be the UK's next prime minister. If Sir Keir does resign in the coming days, the next question is whether there is any contest at all.

Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, always said he would stand. But his allies are now saying there should be conversations between candidates for No 10 about what the future looks like. There are some hints a deal could be struck (even if Team Streeting are saying for now that their position hasn't changed).

ReutersSpeculation remains about Wes Streeting's potential leadership bidIt is of course possible that someone else throws there hat in the ring - but they won't have long to find 81 MPs to back them to get on a leadership ballot. The next question is timing - when would the next prime minister take over? There are disagreements across the parliamentary Labour party about what an "orderly" transition would look like - and specifically how long it would take.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.