UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly expected to resign on Monday
Multiple media outlets report that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing an announcement of his resignation on Monday. According to France 24, a loss in the Burnham by-election and growing tensions inside the cabinet are accelerating the decision.
British politics is being shaken by reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to resign on Monday. France 24 cites a senior minister saying Starmer is reflecting on the political realities. Labour's unexpected defeat in last week's Burnham by-election is being pointed to as a trigger.
The resignation talk lands in an economically difficult period for the Starmer government. In the same week, the Treasury warned of fragile public finances, the Bank of England held interest rates and new company-level data from the Bank suggested that Brexit has cost the UK roughly 6% of annual output. The fiscal squeeze has sharpened cabinet tensions.
Some Labour MPs are already opening discussion of leadership-race scenarios. France 24 reports that Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Burnham Mayor Andy Burnham are emerging as possible candidates. Monday's cabinet meeting and the Commons schedule will shape what happens next.
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