Keir Starmer on Monday announced his resignation as UK prime minister amid turmoil within the Labour Party. His departure marks yet another short-lived tenure in Downing Street, adding to the recent cycle of brief premierships in the United Kingdom.Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision earlier in the day and would remain in office as prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen. His government initially enjoyed strong public support but later faced challenges over the economy, public services and internal party divisions.His departure comes just over two years after he led Labour to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule and becoming Britain’s 58th prime minister.Also Read | Who will replace Keir Starmer? Top contenders in race to become UK PMAnnouncing his decision, Starmer said the question facing Labour was whether he remained the right person to lead the party into the next general election.“I have heard the answer of my party to that question and I accept that answer with good grace,” he said.“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”The resignation follows weeks of speculation over his future after a series of political setbacks, declining public support and increasing calls from within Labour for a change in leadership.Starmer said he had spoken to the King on Monday morning and had asked Labour’s National Executive Committee to begin the process of electing a new leader.According to the timetable, nominations for the leadership contest will open on July 9 and conclude before Parliament’s summer recess, ensuring that a new Labour leader is in place before lawmakers return in September.Until then, Starmer said he would continue serving as prime minister.During his speech, Starmer reflected on Labour’s journey back to government and defended his record as party leader.He said he inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and recalled being told repeatedly that the party was “finished”.“But we proved those people wrong,” he said.Starmer added that his leadership had transformed Labour by “ripping out the poison of anti-Semitism” and by “restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security”.The outgoing prime minister also described entering Downing Street after Labour’s election victory as the proudest moment of his life.“Walking up Downing Street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life,” he said.“I came into politics for the chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better.”
Pressure had been mounting
Starmer’s resignation follows growing unrest within Labour after a series of political setbacks, declining public support and increasing calls from party members for a change in leadership.Speculation intensified following the recent parliamentary victory of Andy Burnham, who is widely seen as a leading contender to succeed Starmer and has emerged as a prominent figure within Labour.The announcement makes Starmer the latest British prime minister to leave office before completing a full term, continuing a period of political instability that has seen several leadership changes in Westminster over the past decade.In an emotional conclusion to his resignation speech, Starmer said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family after leaving what he described as the “biggest job in the country”.“Being the best husband I can, to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad,” he said, appearing emotional.He added: “And being the best dad that I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”Starmer then embraced his wife, Victoria Starmer, before returning inside 10 Downing Street to applause from supporters and staff gathered outside.Keir Starmer was elected as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in July 2024 after the Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.The 61-year-old Labour Party leader promised to bring about change, emphasizing the need to deliver results. In his first speech as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he praised his immediate predecessor Rishi Sunak, acknowledging the dedication and hard work Sunak brought to his leadership.
