Crypto news

22.06.2026
16:11

Keir Starmer's Resignation: Energy Crisis and Trump's Prophecy — Analysis by Cryptalist

The political landscape of the United Kingdom is undergoing a tectonic shift. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation from the posts of head of government and leader of the Labour Party. This decision is the culmination of an internal crisis: growing protests from Labour MPs and a devastating defeat for the party in the May local elections, where over 1,000 seats on municipal councils were lost. Around 100 parliamentarians had officially demanded his departure. Starmer will remain as interim prime minister until a new leader is elected.

Energy Failure and a Prophecy from Across the Ocean

The key catalyst for the resignation was catastrophic energy policy. In November 2025, the UK became the first major global economy to impose a moratorium on issuing new drilling licenses in the North Sea. This step, presented as a "green" transition, left the country vulnerable to global price shocks.

The 2026 Iran conflict led to an explosive rise in Brent crude oil prices — from $73 to nearly $114 per barrel. Regulator Ofgem immediately announced a 13% increase in household bills from July: the average annual payment rose from £1,641 to £1,862. At the same time, calculations by the Oxford Smith School show that even full-scale North Sea production would have reduced bills by only £16–82 per year, which does not solve the problem of global pricing. Politically, however, this move proved fatal: it deprived the country of energy independence at the most critical moment.

Notably, Donald Trump publicly predicted this outcome. Even a day before the official resignation announcement, he harshly criticized Starmer's immigration and energy policies on Truth Social, calling on the UK to open up North Sea drilling. His "prophecy" coincided with an already overdue decision.

The Cryptocurrency Factor: A Change of Course?

The prediction market has already recorded a sharp increase in the chances of Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, becoming the new Labour leader. Burnham, who won 54.8% in the Makerfield by-election, is known for his pro-cryptocurrency stance. He has openly stated his desire to make Manchester a hub for the crypto industry, which radically diverges from the course of Starmer's government, which introduced a moratorium on cryptocurrency donations to political parties in March 2026.

For us as analysts, this change is extremely important. If Burnham comes to power, we could witness a relaxation of regulatory pressure on digital assets in the UK. However, his first and main economic test will be the very oil crisis that doomed his predecessor.

Expert opinion: Starmer's resignation is not just an internal political drama. It is a clear example of how abandoning energy sovereignty in favor of a "green" agenda can lead to the collapse of a government. For the crypto market, the emergence of such a pro-innovation candidate as Burnham is undoubtedly a positive signal. However, if he does not solve the energy price problem, his crypto ambitions will remain just plans on paper. The market will be watching closely to see if the new leader can balance environmental goals with economic viability.