British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister and Labour Party leader on Monday, bowing to mounting pressure over economic woes and eroding public support.
In an emotional address outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had “heard the answer” from his party on whether he was best placed to lead it into the next election and “accepts that answer with good grace”.
“I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” he declared, stressing that every decision he made was about “putting the country I love first”.
Starmer informed King Charles of his decision and requested the Labour national executive committee to begin a leadership contest with nominations opening on July 9, aiming for a new leader by the summer recess.
He will remain in office until then to ensure an orderly handover and pledged full support to his successor.
Starmer took power in July 2024 after Labour’s landslide victory, ending 14 years of Conservative rule, but his popularity plummeted amid perceptions of unfulfilled promises on living costs and public services.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is widely tipped as a frontrunner to replace him.
His departure makes him Britain’s seventh prime minister in 10 years.
