Keir Starmer preparing resignation plan — possible announcement expected on June 22 — media reports

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may announce his intention to resign as early as Monday, June 22.

The British newspaper The Observer reports that a plan to that effect is being prepared.

Over the past few days, the prime minister has been consulting with cabinet ministers, Downing Street advisors, union representatives, and party donors. Following these discussions, he concluded that his political position has become unstable.

He is currently spending the weekend with his wife, Victoria, while sources within the Labour Party expect an official announcement to be made early next week. Some senior party officials suggest that the announcement will take place on Monday.

A Labour Party member of the House of Lords stated that Starmer does not plan to step down abruptly. According to him, this will be a gradual and organized process of transferring authority.

How recent political events have affected the situation?

On June 19, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won the by-election in the Makerfield constituency, returning to Parliament. Since then, he has been viewed as a potential contender for the leadership should a leadership contest be launched within the party.

Internal pressure on the prime minister is mounting within the Labour Party. Among the reasons cited are the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US and the results of the May elections, in which the party lost to the right-wing populist Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, and lost more than 1,200 local council seats and control of the Welsh Senedd.

The Daily Mail reports that Starmer has allegedly told his inner circle of his decision to resign and is finalizing the timeline for his departure from the post of prime minister.

As a reminder, the United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with 150,000 drones by the end of 2026 as part of a USD 996 million aid package.