Keir Starmer shares his ‘greatest joy’ amid growing calls to resign

The Prime Minister has posted an update on social media as pressure mounts on him to set out a timetable for his departure.

The Prime Minister has posted an update on social media as pressure mounts on him to set out a timetable for his departure.

Sir Keir Starmer marked Father’s Day with a poignant message on X, saying ‘being a dad is the greatest joy’ – ignoring growing calls for him to resign.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is now among senior cabinet figures believed to have advised Sir Keir to step aside.

Being a dad is my greatest joy.Today, I’m thinking about my dad, and the father I am to my children because of him.Happy Father’s Day.

Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander are also thought to have joined calls for him to make an exit.

The PM is believed to have consulted with his wife Victoria and children over his future and, according to sources, may be preparing to set out an exit plan as early as Monday.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the PM was reflecting on the ‘political challenges he faces today’, saying Labour needed to uphold its ‘authority’ in government.

‘I know that he’s a prime minister who always puts country first’, he said.

He added: ‘We are now facing a period of political uncertainty and we need to find a way to get through this that puts the country first. This is what we are trying to do.’

Mr Kyle added that Andy Burnham, who on Friday won back a seat in Parliament representing Makerfield, had the ‘qualifications’ and ‘temperament’ to take up the helm.

Until now, allies of the PM and No 10 had insisted that he would fight any challenge to his leadership.