Starmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM

Keir Starmer is expected to announce a timeline for his resignation on Monday morning, June 23, 2026, which would allow Andy Burnham to assume the role of prime minister without a formal leadership contest by autumn. Cabinet ministers have indicated that Starmer will make his intentions known outside No 10 Downing Street, initiating a transition that would mark the United Kingdom's seventh prime minister within a ten-year period. This development suggests a significant shift in the UK's political landscape, potentially reshaping the leadership of the country in the coming months. The specific details of Starmer's departure plan are anticipated to be revealed early next week, with an autumn exit being the most probable scenario according to government sources. The announcement is poised to trigger a series of political maneuvers aimed at facilitating Burnham's ascension to the premiership.