UK ministers reportedly urge Keir Starmer to step down amid Labour leadership crisis

British press reports say that Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer is being privately pressured by ministers in his own cabinet to step down. According to France 24, the calls have come after the party's repeated slide in opinion polls and heavy defeats in recent by-elections.

The Starmer government has been pushed onto the defensive over public finances, energy prices and migration policy. Some cabinet members reportedly believe the administration should restart under stronger leadership, while Downing Street insists the prime minister is committed to remaining in post. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham emerged as one of the main contenders for any leadership contest after returning to parliament in a recent by-election.

Market reaction has been limited for now, but analysts say sterling and UK gilt yields will remain sensitive to internal Labour turmoil in the coming weeks. Reform UK and the Conservatives have held their positions in opinion polls. If a leadership contest does open, the party would be expected to set out a new programme by the end of summer.