British Prime Minister Keir Starmer could be compelled to resign within the coming week, according to reports from multiple media outlets. Sources suggest that intense discussions are underway within the Labour Party over the Prime Minister’s position, primarily stemming from controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the British Ambassador to the United States.
Mandelson’s appointment has sparked significant debate due to his past association with American convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The controversy has already led to the resignation of Starmer’s Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, last Sunday, highlighting the political turbulence surrounding the issue.
Bloomberg reports that many Labour MPs are astonished that Starmer remains in office, given that he personally authorised Mandelson’s diplomatic posting. Insider accounts suggest that some officials within Number 10 Downing Street are covertly urging cabinet members to persuade the Prime Minister to step down. In certain cases, ministers are reportedly threatening their own resignations to accelerate Starmer’s departure. According to a senior ministerial advisor, the likelihood of Starmer resigning in the next week is “fifty-fifty.”
To maintain his position, Starmer is reportedly considering recalling former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to the cabinet. Rayner had resigned in September following allegations of failing to pay stamp duty on a property she purchased in southern England. In addition, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband may be offered a more prominent cabinet role. Prior to this crisis, both Rayner and Miliband were widely regarded as potential successors to Starmer.
British media outlets have also listed several other potential successors who could assume leadership of the Labour Party should Starmer resign. These include key cabinet members from the health, interior, foreign, and defence portfolios.
| Potential Successor | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Wes Streeting | Health Secretary |
| Suella Braverman | Home Secretary |
| Yvette Cooper | Foreign Secretary |
| John Healey | Defence Secretary |
| Alistair Carns | Minister of State for Defence |
It is important to note that a potential resignation by Starmer does not automatically trigger a general election. Instead, the Labour Party can elect a new leader internally, who would then assume responsibility for running the government. A similar process occurred within the Conservative Party in 2022, when the UK saw two prime ministers—Boris Johnson and Liz Truss—replaced within a single year.
Political analysts warn that Starmer’s resignation and the subsequent leadership contest could have significant implications for domestic policy and Britain’s international diplomacy. The unfolding situation underscores the fragility of political leadership even within a party that has been relatively stable in recent years, highlighting how personal controversies can quickly escalate into a national crisis.