UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure to resign after a by-election loss. He is considering his political future.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing his political future as pressure grows within the Labour Party for him to resign. This comes after Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said Starmer is reflecting on the political realities he faces.

By-Election Impact

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election, increasing Labour's majority and reversing a run of electoral losses. He is now eligible to sit as a lawmaker and is positioned to formally challenge Starmer for the party leadership. Burnham is due to be sworn in at Westminster on Monday.

Party Reaction

Several senior ministers, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, have urged Starmer to set out an exit timetable. Scores of Labour MPs have called on him to resign or fix a departure date. US President Donald Trump stated that Starmer will resign, accusing him of failing on immigration and energy.

Potential Succession

A formal contest to choose the leader could take weeks. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, has said he would join any contest, arguing for a battle of ideas over the party's direction. Jess Phillips said a successor cannot take over without presenting their ideas to the parliamentary party. Not everyone backs Starmer's departure, with MP Toby Perkins saying he deserves time and warning that his resignation would give the country its seventh prime minister in ten years.