Prime Minister Keir Starmer is juggling two crises in early June 2026: the European Commission has postponed a summit on his proposed Brexit reset, and a growing leadership challenge from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former health secretary Wes Streeting threatens his grip on the Labour Party after dismal local election results.

European Commission postpones July summit on Brexit reset

The EU’s executive has refused to set a firm date for the Brexit‑reset talks that Downing Street hoped to hold around the referendum’s tenth anniversary on June 23, pushing the target into July at the earliest.. Diplomatic sources told the original report that officials question whether Starmer will remain in office long enough to deliver a new agreement, prompting a “wait‑and‑see” stance.

One source noted, “There is some goodwill towards him because he has shown he is sincere about thawing relations after Brexit… but at the same time,everyone can see he has big domestic problems.” The delay could also be a tactical move by the Commission to extract concessions on items such as the proposed youth mobility scheme.

Andy Burnham’s Makerfield by‑election could trigger a leadership showdown

The Makerfield by‑election, scheduled for early July, is being watched as a potential flashpoint. If Burnham wins, his supporters say he will immediately launch a challenge to replace Starmer before Labour’s September conference in Liverpool.

Burnham, the popular Greater Manchester mayor, is backed by a faction that criticises Starmer’s handling of local election losses and sees an opportunity to steer the party toward a more centrist platform. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, is also positioning himself as a viable alternative, adding weight to the internal dissent.

Starmer’s internal rally: junior ministers and a personal vow

In response, Starmer has summoned dozens of junior ministers he trusts, urging them to stand by his leadership. He reportedly told them, “If there is a contest, then I’m going to fight it. I’m not going to walk away. I’ll be in it to win it.”

His wife, Victoria, is reportedly urging him to stay the course, even as roughly 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter calling for his resignation. The internal friction is causing a “go‑slow” among civil servvants, who fear committing to new initiatives amid the uncertainty.

What remains unclear: timing of EU talks and Burnham’s exact strategy

Two specific unknowns dominate the narrative: first, whether the European Commission will finally set a summit date before autumn, and second, how Burnham plans to translate a Makerfield win into a formal leadership contest. The source does not confirm if the EU has set a hard deadline, nor does it detail Burnham’s internal camapign tactics beyond the by‑election gamble.

As the story develops, observers note that both the EU’s hesitation and Labour’s infighting could reshape the UK’s foreign‑policy agenda for years to come.