Fresh questions are being asked about Sir Keir Starmer’s future after another extraordinary weekend of speculation over his position as Prime Minister, with reports suggesting senior Labour figures are openly discussing how and when his leadership could come to an end.

The latest developments have fuelled accusations that the Labour government is becoming increasingly distracted by internal battles at a time when many households continue to face rising costs and economic uncertainty.

According to reports published over the weekend, Sir Keir Starmer has been considering his future following Andy Burnham’s by election victory, while senior Cabinet figures are said to have warned that his position is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

The reports claim Labour MPs are now seeking clarity on a timetable for his departure, with one Cabinet minister reportedly suggesting the Prime Minister may need to be “dragged out by his fingernails”.

The claims have added to a growing sense of instability around Westminster, with senior Labour politicians now openly discussing what could come next.

Appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Cabinet minister Peter Kyle declined to rule out Sir Keir Starmer announcing a timetable for his departure and said any transition should happen in a “functional way”.

Shortly afterwards, Labour minister Jess Phillips described events as feeling like a “slow resignation” and suggested it appeared the Prime Minister had “come to the end of the road”.

The comments have intensified debate about the government’s future direction and whether another Labour leadership contest could be on the horizon.

SNP MP Pete Wishart said:

“While Labour MPs plot and brief against one another, ordinary people are facing rising bills and economic uncertainty.

“At a time when people need stability and leadership, Westminster is once again consumed by political games and internal power struggles.

“This latest Labour meltdown is just another reminder that chaos at Westminster isn’t confined to one party, whether it’s Labour, the Conservatives or Reform, Scotland is expected to put up with governments and leaders we didn’t vote for while the same broken system lurches from one crisis to the next.

“Time and again we are told that a change of government or a change of leader will fix the system, but the reality is that the Westminster system itself is broken.

“Scotland needs a different path, decisions about Scotland’s future should be taken by the people who live here, not determined by the latest crisis at Westminster.

“Independence would provide the opportunity for a fresh start and allow Scotland to build a fairer, more prosperous future based on our own priorities and values.”

SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said the latest developments demonstrated deeper problems within the Westminster system.

Mr Brown said:

“Sir Keir Starmer is being dragged out of number 10 by his own party whilst the country suffers through a government ignoring the myriad of challenges facing people in their everyday lives.

“It’s clear Westminster chaos will never end.

“Even his own allies are now conceding, the language from a key Starmer ally makes clear his resignation is imminent.

“The Labour Party asked voters to trust them to end the era of political psychodrama, yet barely into government they’ve been consumed by internal division and are now lurching towards yet another leadership contest.

“Sir Keir Starmer promised voters a government focused on fixing broken Brexit Britain but instead they scrapped the Winter Fuel Payment, broke their promise to WASPI women, and have been defined by a complete lack of principles.

“It turns out the only thing moving faster than Labour’s policy U-turns is Labour’s leadership carousel.

“Whether it’s Burnham, Streeting or another Labour lackey, the one guarantee is that the Westminster chaos will not end.

“Scotland needs the opportunity for a fresh start and only independence offers that chance to build a fairer, more prosperous future, free from this failing Westminster chaos.”

With speculation continuing to swirl around Westminster and senior Labour figures now publicly discussing the possibility of a transition, attention is likely to remain firmly focused on whether Sir Keir Starmer can restore authority within his party or whether the pressure on his leadership will continue to grow in the days ahead.