Keir Starmer to resign as prime minister after election defeat

Despite Starmer's public statements of not walking away, Business Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged on Sunday that there were forces challenging the prime minister's leadership. Allies of Starmer had privately admitted that the size of Burnham's victory could influence his decision. Following Burnham's win with a majority of nearly 10,000, Starmer reportedly spent the weekend at the prime minister's country retreat, Chequers, drafting his resignation statement.

Some ministers had warned Starmer that they would not continue to support him if he fought a leadership challenge. By Sunday, it was clear to many that the contest was effectively decided, with support for Burnham reportedly growing to 300 MPs. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact timetable, the expectation among senior government aides is that an orderly transition is imminent, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.