Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as the leader of the Labour Party, bringing his tenure as UK Prime Minister to a close after less than two years.
He bowed to pressure from within his own party and agreed to stand down. He said he would do all he could to ensure an “orderly” transition of power after announcing his decision to quit.
Accompanied by his wife Victoria, he made a statement on the steps of Downing Street, saying he would remain in place as Prime Minister until a contest to replace him had concluded. He has asked Labour’s governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, beginning on July 9, and ending by the summer recess to “ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September”.
His most likely replacement, Andy Burnham, will be sworn in as an MP later today after winning a by-election last week. Former health secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to put himself forward as a candidate.
Missteps
Mr Starmer's premiership has been plagued by policy missteps and dire approval ratings, culminating in a thumping defeat in local elections in May that spurred almost a quarter of his MPs to say he should stand down.
His impending departure means Britain will have its seventh prime minister in a little more than a decade. Since the Brexit vote to leave the EU 10 years ago this week, the UK has been led by Conservative leaders David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, before Mr Starmer's landslide victory in 2024.
At one year and 354 days so far, Mr Starmer is the 16th shortest serving prime minister. He has outlasted Mr Sunak by 98 days.
Country first
Mr Starmer's emotional statement followed a weekend spent mulling over his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence. Ministerial allies and No 10 staff gathered in Downing Street shortly before 9.30am in an indication Mr Starmer was to announce he was to step down.
Announcing his resignation, Mr Starmer said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.
“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation outside 10 Downing Street in London. AFP -
Mr Starmer delivers his statement in front of the media and Labour Party colleagues. Getty Images -
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy waits for Mr Starmer's statement with members of Downing Street staff. AFP -
The media gathered outside 10 Downing Street. AFP -
The story is dominating the airwaves in the UK. Reuters
Mr Starmer said that becoming the UK's leader was the “proudest moment of my life”.
“Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life, a new Labour government, the first in 14 years, a page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair, the chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better, that’s what I came into politics for the journey to that point was not easy," he added.
“Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible. But we proved those people wrong, because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of anti-Semitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with, not against, our national flag.”
Mr Starmer appeared to become emotional as he thanked his wife Victoria for her support at the end of his speech. Holding back tears, he said he would spend more time being the “best husband” and “best dad” after his resignation.
They both stood before the door of No 10 before returning inside, to loud applause and cheers from team gathered outside.
Election call
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a general election after Mr Starmer’s announcement. He said: “Reform demands an election and we are ready to deliver radical change. If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said Mr Starmer’s replacement would have to change “our broken politics”.
Michel Barnier, the former French prime minister and EU Brexit negotiator, addressed the situation on Monday. "I have great comprehension and compassion for the Prime Minister in his situation," he said in London. “I always had very good relations with Keir Starmer because I think he knows the importance of European stability.”
