Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly weighing up his political future as pressure mounts for him to announce his resignation. The situation intensified following the Makerfield by-election victory of Andy Burnham, which has cleared a potential path for him to challenge for the Labour leadership.

This development comes as senior ministers have reportedly made fresh pleas to Sir Keir, urging him to set out a timetable for his departure and effectively make way for Burnham. The calls follow a period of significant political maneuvering within the Labour party.

Adding to the pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that Sir Keir will resign as prime minister, criticizing his record on immigration and energy policy and reiterating calls to open North Sea oil reserves. Downing Street confirmed that the two leaders had not spoken over the weekend, despite meeting at a G7 summit the previous week.

In the immediate aftermath of Burnham's victory, Sir Keir had insisted he would contest any formal leadership bid. However, a shift in tone has been noted. Business Secretary Peter Kyle, a cabinet ally, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Sir Keir was "taking the time to think through what the political realities are today, compared to last week and the week before." Kyle, who spoke with Sir Keir on Friday, expressed confidence that any decisions made would be "in the best interests of the country."

Kyle acknowledged the challenges facing Sir Keir, stating that he did not want to be "delusional" about the forces at work challenging him as party leader. He emphasized that while a formal process for changing a leader is preferable, it must be balanced against the need to maintain the government's authority during any unfolding processes.

The 2020 leadership race that saw Sir Keir become Labour leader lasted six weeks. Concerns have been raised by some Labour MPs that a similar contest could further damage the party's prospects due to potential disagreements.

Furthermore, there are concerns that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the leadership could create unnecessary instability for financial markets. The exact timeline for any potential leadership transition remains unclear, with significant political factors still at play.

Analysts suggest that the outcome of these internal party dynamics will significantly influence Labour's future direction and its ability to present a united front ahead of future electoral challenges. The coming days are expected to be crucial in determining Sir Keir's next steps.