Starmer Set to Announce Resignation Amid Labour Leadership Shift

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce his resignation amid leadership shifts in Labour, with Andy Burnham preparing to take over and internal party dynamics intensifying.

Starmer's Imminent Resignation Announcement

reports that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce his resignation later this morning. Since Saturday, he and his aides have been preparing his resignation speech, which he will deliver outside Downing Street. A cabinet minister told the paper,

"in the last 12 to 14 hours a shift appears to have taken place in his mind".

The Mirror's front page headline reads 'Game Over' — It's "game over" for Sir Keir, reports the Mirror, which says the prime minister is expected to set out an exit timetable after former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham swept back to Westminster with his by-election victory last week.

Transition Plans and Leadership Rivalry

The Daily Telegraph states that Labour MP Andy Burnham is seeking a transition period, potentially taking over by September, to prepare policies and assemble his team. Conversely, the Daily Mirror reports that Burnham's allies are pushing for a "quick coronation." Its front page features a photograph of Sir Keir sitting alone in an empty football stand with the headline: "Game Over."

The Daily Telegraph's front page headline reads 'Burnham plans to be in No 10 by September' — The Daily Telegraph reports that Burnham plans to become prime minister by September, with both Sir Keir and his political rival "said to favour a delay over the summer to allow an orderly handover of the keys to No 10". In other news, the paper reports that France has banned alcohol at festivals across the country amid temperatures of up to 41C (106F) during a record heatwave.

Labour MPs and Leadership Appointments

The Times reveals that former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who managed Burnham's campaign in the Makerfield by-election, is receiving pitches from Labour MPs regarding positions they would be interested in under a new administration, although no final decisions have been made. The paper also notes that Sir Keir has spoken to "almost no-one except his wife" over the weekend, with her urging him to continue. Additionally, Burnham has been cautioned against appointing Ed Miliband as his chancellor due to concerns about Miliband's pro-business stance.

Support and Ambitions Within Labour

The i Paper reports that former Health Secretary Wes Streeting directly appealed to Burnham for the chancellor role while campaigning for him in Makerfield on 8 June. The Financial Times adds that some of Streeting's supporters believe he may withdraw his leadership ambitions if offered a senior position in a future government.

Relations and Internal Party Dynamics

The Sun describes Sir Keir as "furious" with Burnham, stating the two have not communicated since the Makerfield election result. A Labour MP told the paper that his paid intern underwent a more rigorous recruitment process than any of the candidates vying to replace the prime minister.

Policy Pressures and Party Expectations

The Daily Mail reports that Burnham is facing pressure from Labour's left-wing MPs to reconsider manifesto pledges that keep income tax and VAT unchanged, aiming to fund new commitments. The paper's editorial concludes, when considering a Burnham administration,

"He is morally obliged to explain the direction in which he wants to go and ask the people whether they would be prepared to travel with him. That can only be done by way of a general election."

The Independent's front page headline reads 'Starmer plots his final exit as Trump says 'he will resign' — Donald Trump has weighed into the drama at No 10, with the Independent reporting that the US president said in a social media post that the prime minister "will resign". "I wish him well," Trump is quoted as saying.

Additional Context and Political Reactions

The Independent reports that former US President Donald Trump has commented on the situation at No 10, stating in a social media post that the prime minister "will resign" and adding, "I wish him well." The Sun references Trump's intervention in its headline: "Don and dusted." It reports that Sir Keir plans to announce his departure as early as Monday after concluding with allies and his wife Victoria that he has no realistic chance of political survival.

The Sun's front page headline reads 'Don and dusted' — The Sun references the US president's intervention in its headline: "Don and dusted." It reports that Sir Keir will announce his departure plans as early as Monday "after concluding with allies and wife Victoria that he has no realistic chance of political survival".

Burnham's Aspirations and Party Conference

The Times reports that Burnham is seeking a "coronation" as he aims to become Britain's next prime minister in time for the Labour Party conference. Burnham, who will be sworn in as the Labour MP for Makerfield on Monday afternoon, intends to use the party's conference at the end of September as a platform for his leadership.

The Times' front page headline reads 'Burnham aiming for PM — Burnham is seeking a "coronation" as he hopes to become Britain's next prime minister in time for the Labour Party conference, according to the Times. Burnham, who will be sworn in as the Labour MP for Makerfield on Monday afternoon, wants to use the party's conference at the end of September as a springboard, the paper reports.

Warnings from Political Opponents

With Sir Keir "poised to quit," senior Conservative Sir Mel Stride warns that Burnham would implement "reckless" tax increases and welfare spending if he becomes prime minister, according to the Daily Express. The paper also marks the Prince of Wales' 44th birthday and Father's Day with a photograph of the prince and his daughter Princess Charlotte captioned "best papa in the world."

The Daily Express's front page headline reads 'Brace yourself for more — With Sir Keir "poised to quit", senior Tory Sir Mel Stride warns that Burnham will unleash "reckless" tax hikes and welfare spending if he becomes prime minister, the Daily Express reports. It also marks the Prince of Wales' 44th birthday and Father's Day with a picture of the prince and his daughter Princess Charlotte with the caption "best papa in the world".

Cabinet Revolt and Leadership Transition

The Financial Times reports that allies of Sir Keir say he is on the verge of resigning, which would pave the way for Burnham to become Britain's seventh leader in a decade since Brexit. The prime minister is expected to agree to an "orderly" transition amid a "growing cabinet revolt."

The Financial Times' front page headline reads 'Starmer on brink of stepping down as Burnham heads for Westminster' — The Financial Times reports that Sir Keir's allies say he is on the brink of resigning - paving the way for Burnham to become Britain's seventh leader in a decade since Brexit. It says the prime minister is expected to agree to an "orderly" transition amid a "growing cabinet revolt".

Calls for Timetable and Exit Strategy

The i Paper states that Burnham's allies will urge Sir Keir to resign if he does not set out a departure timetable by Monday night. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is among those who have encouraged Sir Keir to announce an exit plan.

The i Paper's front page headline reads 'Burnham's stark ultimatum to Starmer: resign or face mass Labour walkouts' — Allies of leadership rival Burnham will tell Sir Keir to go if he has not set out a timetable for his departure by Monday night, the i Paper reports. It says Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is among those who have urged Sir Keir to lay out an exit timetable.

Labour's Tax Pledges Under Scrutiny

The Daily Mail describes Sir Keir as a "dead man walking" and reports that Burnham is being pressed to abandon Labour's tax pledges to finance his spending plans. Labour's manifesto includes promises not to raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT.

The Daily Mail's front page headline reads 'Now rip up tax pledges, Labour left tell Burnham' — Sir Keir is described as a "dead man walking" by the Daily Mail, which reports that Burnham is being urged to tear up Labour's tax pledges to fund his spending plans. Labour's manifesto tax promises include not raising income tax, National Insurance or VAT.

Other News Highlights

Outside of politics, the Daily Star's front page focuses on the World Cup in the US. John Ratzenberger, known for playing Cliff Clavin in the Boston-based sitcom Cheers, welcomes England to the US city and predicts they will win the tournament. England is scheduled to play against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.