President Donald Trump ignited a fresh political firestorm Sunday by asserting that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to step down. In a blunt social media post, Trump declared: “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!” The remarks directly target Starmer’s refusal to authorize new drilling in the North Sea, a key point of contention between the two leaders.
The BBC reported Sunday that there are growing indications Starmer could announce his resignation as soon as Monday. Multiple sources with ties to the government told the broadcaster they believe the prime minister may outline a timeline for his exit. This follows months of mounting pressure within his own Labour Party and a steady erosion of public support.
Starmer’s political future has been under intense scrutiny. According to The Associated Press, he faces a potential leadership challenge from fellow Labour figure Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester. While Starmer has publicly vowed to continue leading the country, several Labour MPs have privately signaled they believe he should step aside to allow a fresh start for the party.
If Starmer does resign, he would become the sixth UK prime minister to leave office in the last decade, underscoring the deep instability that has gripped British politics. His popularity has plummeted amid persistent economic difficulties, including high inflation and sluggish growth, which have fueled public discontent.
Adding to the turmoil, Starmer has faced severe criticism over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States. Mandelson’s past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have drawn sharp condemnation from both sides of the Atlantic, further weakening Starmer’s standing among voters and allies alike.
The Hill has contacted the UK government for official comment on Trump’s prediction and the reported resignation signals. As of now, Downing Street has not issued a response.
Trump and Starmer have clashed repeatedly on major international issues, including NATO funding, the war in Ukraine, and policy toward Iran. Their differences were on full display last week at the Group of Seven summit in France, where a new peace deal between Iran and the United States dominated discussions. That agreement, which Trump has touted as a diplomatic breakthrough, has opened Iranian oil exports and sparked fury among hawks in Washington.
The ongoing tensions between the two leaders, combined with Starmer’s domestic struggles, have created a volatile political landscape. Whether Starmer’s exit is imminent or merely the subject of speculation, Trump’s intervention has added a combustible element to an already fragile situation in British politics.
