London : Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party, following months of growing pressure within the party, paving the way for the selection of Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade.
In an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed His Majesty King Charles III of his decision, noting that he would remain in office until the leadership contest to ensure an orderly transfer of power. Starmer, who took office in July 2024 after a landslide Labour victory, acknowledged that he had lost the support of his parliamentary party, saying he accepted this with good grace, and asked the party’s National Executive Committee to set a timetable under which nominations would begin on 9 July, ensuring a new leader is elected before Parliament returns in September.
Starmer’s resignation comes shortly after he came to power, during a period marked by declining popularity and ministerial resignations, amid concerns among Labour MPs over the party’s ability to counter the rise of the right-wing Reform UK party. Pressure on Starmer intensified following Labour’s defeat in local and regional elections in May, reaching a peak with the return of veteran Labour politician Andy Burnham to Parliament last week.
For his part, Andy Burnham confirmed his intention to stand for Labour leadership and the premiership, calling for an “orderly and responsible” transfer of power. The move has strengthened Burnham’s prospects of winning the leadership unopposed, particularly after former Health Secretary Wes Streeting declared his support for Burnham, having previously signalled his own intention to run for the party leadership.
