UMVA has learned that a seismic shift is underway in the British government, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the brink of resignation, sending shockwaves through the corridors of power.
The news comes as Starmer faced mounting pressure from his own MPs and the broader Labour party to step down, following a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election last week, which many saw as a significant boost to his leadership.
Sources close to the Prime Minister have confirmed to UMVA that he returned to Downing Street yesterday, after spending the weekend at Chequers, his official country residence, where he reportedly began writing his resignation speech.
In a clear indication of Starmer's imminent departure, Minister Jacqui Smith told Times Radio this morning that she 'would have been happy for him to continue' in office, hinting that the Prime Minister's exit is all but certain.
The world is watching with bated breath as the media gathers outside 10 Downing Street, anticipating Starmer's rumored resignation speech, which is expected to set out his departure from power.
UMVA understands that Starmer's exit will clear the way for Andy Burnham to replace him, becoming the country's seventh leader in just over a decade, in a move that promises to reshape the British political landscape.
Burnham, the former Manchester mayor, is widely expected to take over as Prime Minister, with many speculating that he will be sworn in as a new MP later today, paving the way for a seamless transition of power.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Burnham's team is aiming to secure the backing of as many as 200 MPs – half of the Parliamentary Labour Party – to solidify his position as the natural successor to Starmer.
The likely timetable for Burnham's route to Number 10 involves Starmer staying in office until the autumn, with Burnham taking over around the party's annual conference at the end of September, marking a new chapter in British politics.
As the news of Starmer's impending resignation sends ripples through the government, more than half a dozen cabinet members are thought to have privately told him that his time in office is up, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
Others have warned against a coronation of Burnham, arguing that anyone hoping to become the UK's leader should be publicly tested, sparking a heated debate about the future direction of the party.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned from his post in the wake of last month's elections, has called for a 'battle of ideas' about the future direction of the party, adding to the sense of uncertainty and change.
Burnham remains the overwhelming favorite to win any contest, having demonstrated his ability to defeat Reform in Thursday's by-election, where he took 55% of the vote, a full 20 points ahead of the Reform candidate.
If Starmer does announce his resignation in the coming days, it would represent a staggering fall from grace for a leader who won a huge majority in Parliament less than two years ago, raising questions about the future of the Labour party.
Sir Keir's resignation would also come a day before the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, when the UK voted to leave the EU, marking a significant moment in British history.
The decision has led to an unprecedented churn in Prime Ministers, with three Tory leaders forced out by their own MPs, before Rishi Sunak lost the general election in 2024, and now, Sir Keir on the brink of quitting, making him the sixth PM to be forced out in less than a decade.
