British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party after less than two years in office.
Starmer made the announcement on Monday in an emotional statement outside 10 Downing Street, ending months of speculation over his political future following growing pressure within his party and declining public support.
Starmer said: “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.”
The outgoing prime minister disclosed that the Labour Party would begin the process of selecting a new leader in July, while he would remain in office until a successor is chosen.
“I will remain in post as prime minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” he said.
His resignation comes after a turbulent period marked by policy reversals, internal party tensions and a series of controversies that weakened his authority.
Until the weekend, Starmer had insisted he would remain in office despite increasing calls for him to step aside.
His position became increasingly difficult following Andy Burnham’s victory in a crucial by-election, a development widely seen as strengthening the veteran politician’s path towards a Labour leadership bid.
Burnham is expected to return to Parliament after being sworn in on Monday, potentially positioning himself as a leading contender in the race to replace Starmer.
The Labour Party is expected to open nominations for the leadership contest on July 9, with the process overseen by the party’s National Executive Committee.
A new leader is expected to be in place before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.
Starmer led Labour back to power in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule and returning the centre-left party to government.
However, his administration struggled with a series of political setbacks, including criticism over welfare reforms, defence spending proposals and the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington.
He also faced mounting pressure from the growing popularity of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, which inflicted damaging losses on Labour during local elections in May.
In his farewell remarks, Starmer pledged full support for whoever succeeds him.
“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,” he said.
His departure will make Britain’s next leader the country’s seventh prime minister in a decade, continuing a period of significant political turnover that began after the 2016 Brexit referendum.
