Keir Starmer Resigns

Starmer, who led Labor to a landslide victory in July 2024, submitted his resignation to King Charles III following mounting pressure within his party and former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham's decisive victory in a by-election to enter Parliament as the new MP for Makerfield. Burnham is considered a strong contender to succeed Starmer as prime minister and could take office as early as September.

"The question my party is now asking is whether I am in the best position to lead us to the next general election. I have heard my parliamentary party's answer to that question, and I accept that answer," Starmer said outside 10 Downing Street.

"Look at what we've achieved in just two years: a stronger economy, growing faster than our competitors; wages rising faster than inflation every month since we came to power; investment secured; infrastructure being built; an end to austerity, with the fastest reduction in NHS waiting lists in 17 years; the biggest improvements to workers' and tenants' rights in a generation; and the largest increase in military spending since the Cold War."

However, he acknowledged that the debate within the party had shifted.

"The question now is not who was best placed to change the Labor Party, bring us to power, and begin the vital work of improving the lives of millions of people. The question my party is asking now is whether I am best positioned to lead us to the next general election," Starmer continued.

"I have heard my parliamentary party's answer to that question, and I accept it with good grace. Every decision I have made has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will be resigning as leader of the Labor Party. I spoke with His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision."

Starmer said that nominations for a new party leader would open on July 9 and remain open until the summer recess, ensuring that a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September. He will remain in office until a successor is elected.

"I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power," Starmer said. "I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago."

This marks the sixth resignation of a UK prime minister in the past 10 years, following the departures of David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak.