British reports say senior figures in the UK Labour government are pressing Prime Minister Keir Starmer to set a timeline for leaving office. The Financial Times reports that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Starmer it would be in the country’s and Labour Party’s interests for him to resign to allow a smooth transition and enable the party to select a new leader. Separate reporting by The Times says government ministers are expected to raise the issue with Starmer on the same day, telling him that “his time is up” and urging him to outline a schedule for a “smooth transition.”
The developments are linked to the return of Andy Burnham to Parliament. Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is reported to have been elected as a Labour Member of Parliament in Thursday’s by-elections, a move that has renewed speculation about a leadership challenge within Labour that could potentially replace both Starmer and his party leadership. Starmer has repeatedly stated that he will not resign and that he plans to stand in any leadership contest.
