UK minister says Starmer is considering 'political realities'

British business minister Peter Kyle said Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reflecting on the "political realities" after party rival Andy Burnham was elected to parliament, setting up a potential leadership challenge.
Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday, Kyle said he had no reason to believe Starmer was planning to announce his resignation on Monday but that it would be "delusional" not to think his position was under threat.
"Today, as in every other day I've ever known Keir, he is out there working hard. At the same time, he is also trying to create the space where he can ⁠think and reflect on the political realities and challenges - and the opportunities - that are before us," Kyle said in an interview with Sky News.
Kyle did not repeat Downing Street's recent refrain that Starmer planned to fight any challenge.
The threat to Starmer's position, which has been building for months, increased sharply on Friday when Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won a seat in parliament that will allow him to launch a formal leadership challenge.
Starmer's unpopularity was laid bare by the ruling party's heavy losses in local elections in May, and polls of Labour party members indicate Burnham would win such a contest.
Asked about reports that Starmer was preparing to resign, Kyle told Sky News: "I have nothing to believe that they are true. I am seeing a lot of speculation out there."
Kyle declined to go into detail about what he said was frank conversation with Starmer on Friday, beyond saying ⁠it was lengthy and that "not once ... did he ever ask about self-interest. It was always about the country".
In a later interview with the BBC, Kyle accepted that Starmer's position was under threat.

-Reuters