British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce his resignation Monday, according to reports in UK media, after a string of political defeats and mounting anger over his government's decision to block new North Sea oil and gas licences. The move comes just weeks after Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Starmer would quit, blaming the ban on fossil fuel exploration.
Why the energy policy triggered the crisis
Starmer's Labour government announced on November 26, 2025, that it would grant no new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea. That decision came as a US-Israel conflict with Iran disrupted global oil and gas flows, sending Brent crude from around $73 a barrel to roughly $114 and pushing Dutch TTF gas futures up nearly 50%.
In response, UK energy regulator Ofgem confirmed a 13% rise in the household energy price cap from July, lifting the typical annual dual-fuel bill from £1,641 to £1,862. The surge in energy costs hit households hard, but an analysis from the Oxford Smith School found that maximum North Sea extraction would cut annual bills by only £16 to £82 — because domestic oil sells at global market prices. The small potential savings did little to offset the public's sense of being squeezed.
Political damage from local election losses
Starmer's position weakened dramatically after Labour suffered major losses in local elections. Around 100 Labour MPs formally requested his resignation. In a by-election for the Makerfield constituency, Labour candidate Andy Burnham won decisively, but the rebellion within the party had already taken hold.
Trump, who had previously called Starmer 'a nice man' but argued he needed to 'straighten out immigration' and 'start drilling,' posted on Truth Social on June 21 that Starmer would resign. At the time the prediction seemed far-fetched, but with the energy crisis and internal party revolt, it now aligns with events.
What happens next
UK media reported Sunday that an announcement of Starmer's resignation is expected Monday. No exact time has been given, but the political vacuum leaves questions about who will lead Labour and how the next government will handle energy policy — especially the ban on new North Sea licences.
