US President Donald Trump has predicted that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will resign, citing failures on immigration and energy policy, in a statement that follows intense speculation in British media about an imminent departure.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday morning, Trump wrote: “Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well! President DJT.”
The American President’s remarks come shortly after several British outlets reported that Starmer is expected to announce his resignation as early as Monday, 22 June 2026, and set out a clear timetable for an orderly exit.
Speculation about Starmer’s future has grown rapidly in recent days, fuelled by Labour’s internal divisions and a significant by-election result. Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election on 18 June with a decisive 54.8 per cent of the vote and a majority of more than 9,200 over the Reform UK candidate.
This strong performance has boosted Burnham’s profile as the leading contender to succeed Starmer, with reports indicating that more than 100 Labour MPs, including some senior cabinet ministers, have privately or publicly urged the Prime Minister to step aside.
Party sources suggest that Starmer, who has been spending the weekend at Chequers with his wife Victoria reflecting on his position, now accepts that his authority has eroded and that staying on would only deepen the crisis. An orderly transition, possibly culminating in a new leader being confirmed at the Labour Party conference in September, is being discussed to avoid a messy and divisive contest.
Trump’s comments add an international dimension to the unfolding drama in British politics. The US President has repeatedly criticised Starmer’s approach to border control and energy security, particularly what he sees as a failure to maximise North Sea oil production. He had also slammed the UK govt over a lack of full support to US military operations in Iran and efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz.
While Starmer had earlier insisted he would fight any leadership challenge and had “more to do,” the rapid shift in mood within Labour, combined with poor polling and internal dissent, has led many observers to believe that a resignation announcement could come soon.
