The Times newspaper, citing sources it described as insiders, said that ministers in British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government may start submitting their resignations if he does not step down in the next few days.

The domestic threat follows Starmer's announcement on Friday that he would contest his party's leadership and hold on to his position, following his rival Andy Burnham's victory in the local elections in Manchester.

The Times quoted the sources as saying that ministers will be forced to resign if the prime minister does not step down voluntarily in the coming days, warning of a wave of mass resignations.

An unnamed member of the government said that Starmer's stay in power was unacceptable, saying sharply: "Send us a gravedigger to get him out of his hiding place, many of us are ready to resign," while another source warned that Starmer's continued stay in office threatens to drag the country into chaos.

The political crisis in the Labour Party has intensified after Labour won the by-election for the constituency of Mackersfield in Manchester, after Labour MP Josh Simmons stepped down from his seat, which enabled him to enter the House of Commons and gave him the opportunity to compete for the post of prime minister.

According to British reports, Starmer will not resign, despite his rival Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham winning the by-election, stressing that Starmer's position has not changed and that he is determined to face any challenges as party leader, and has no intention of relinquishing his position.

Earlier this week, Starmer offered Burnham a senior government position following his election victory, and this offer is still in place, according to the information circulating.

Starmer is the least popular among British prime ministers throughout history

A poll conducted by More in Common published on Sunday (June 14) said Starmer remains the least popular in UK history, with Sky News quoting the poll as saying that "Starmer continues to top the list of the least popular in history", noting that his rating is at a negative level of -47 points, which is lower than any other party leader in the country.

Green leader Zac Polanski came in second with a negative rating of -25 points, while the leader of the right-wing Reform UK party Nigel Farage came in third with a rating of -20 points, amid a sharp decline in his approval rating in recent weeks.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Padennock and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Duffy scored -8 and -10 points, respectively, and the poll indicated that voters are deeply dissatisfied with rising prices, a deteriorating health system, and immigration policies.

The dates and margin of error for the poll were not specified, and the rating is calculated based on the difference between the percentage of voters in favor and the percentage of those who oppose each politician's performance.

Outgoing health secretary threatens to topple Starmer within days

Former British health secretary Wes Streeting made sharp remarks during an interview with the BBC's Newsnight programme on Wednesday (June 17), issuing a direct warning to Prime Minister and Labour leader Keir Starmer to make a decision on his political future over the weekend, in a move reflecting the height of a leadership crisis hitting the ruling party.

"I think the prime minister should be given some space and time to think over the weekend, and then we have to see where we stand," Streeting said.؜

Strating noted that he already has the support of 81 Labour MPs, the number needed to contest for the party's leadership, and said he believed that competition should start sooner rather than later.؜

"I'd rather the prime minister make a decision on his own terms, rather than leave it to me, Andy or anyone else to launch a race for leadership. We cannot continue in this state of uncertainty and paralysis."؜

Starmer responded to threats from France, where he is attending the G7 summit, that he adheres to the leadership of the Labour Party, declaring that he is ready to fight a battle for survival in the face of internal pressures and that any change of leadership now would harm the stability of the country.

"If there is a challenge, I am ready to fight and defend my leadership," Starmer told the BBC, arguing that launching a race for power at this time would be "a very bad move for the country and its stability."