British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was expected to outline his resignation plans in a statement from Downing Street on Monday, with senior Labour figures increasingly backing a swift transition to Andy Burnham as his successor.
Preparations were underway ahead of Starmer’s address, with a lectern and sound equipment set up outside Downing Street as his team gathered for the announcement.
Burnham, widely viewed as the leading contender to replace Starmer, was due to arrive in Westminster to be sworn in as MP for Makerfield after winning last week’s by-election.
If Starmer formally announces his resignation, many Labour lawmakers expect Burnham to face no serious challenger, potentially paving the way for what party insiders describe as a “coronation” rather than a contested leadership race.
Under that scenario, Burnham could take over as Labour leader by late September, around the party’s annual conference, although some supporters are pressing for a faster timetable.
Labour MP Anna Dixon, a supporter of Burnham, said Starmer should step down without triggering a leadership contest.
“I think it’s clear now that the prime minister recognises it’s time to go,” Dixon told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “I hope he sets out a timetable for transition, whether that’s in weeks or months, to preserve stability for the country.”
Dixon said a smooth handover was preferable to a divisive leadership battle and argued that Burnham’s political experience made him well placed to take over, according to BBC.
“He’s sat around the cabinet table previously and he’s run a major city as mayor for nine years,” she said. “I think he has been tested.”
Any resignation announcement would mark a significant moment for Labour and could trigger a rapid leadership transition at a time of heightened political scrutiny for the governing party.
