Keir Starmer Resigns as British Prime Minister, Will Remain Until Successor Is Chosen

Starmer said Labour will open nominations July 9 and select a new leader before lawmakers return in September, setting up a transition that could make Andy Burnham Britain’s next prime minister.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that he will resign as leader of the Labour Party, triggering a leadership transition less than two years after he led Labour to a landslide general election victory.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on June 22, Starmer said he had accepted that Labour lawmakers no longer viewed him as the strongest person to lead the party into the next general election.

“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,” Starmer told reporters in London.

Starmer said he will remain prime minister until Labour chooses a successor and promised to support the next party leader during an orderly transfer of power.

“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, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labor Party secures a second term in office,” he said.

The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee will open nominations July 9. Starmer said the contest will be completed before Parliament’s summer recess, allowing a new leader to be in place before lawmakers return in September.

“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,” Starmer said.

The resignation marks a rapid reversal for Starmer, who entered office in July 2024 after ending 14 years of Conservative rule. He became the latest in a series of British leaders to leave office in a period of continuing political instability.

Starmer succeeded Rishi Sunak, who served from 2022 to 2024. Sunak followed Liz Truss, who lasted 45 days in office, and Boris Johnson, Theresa May and David Cameron before her.

Starmer reflected on his rise to power during his resignation statement.

“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 said he had informed King Charles III of his decision.

“Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.”

The announcement came one day after President Donald Trump predicted Starmer would step down. Trump said he wished Starmer well but said the British leader had “failed badly on two very important subjects—immigration and energy.”

Attention now turns to Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor who returned to Parliament after winning a special election last week. Burnham is widely considered the front-runner to replace Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.

In a post on X, Burnham thanked Starmer for his service and said he would enter the leadership process.

Starmer’s decision to resign “marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process,” Burnham said.

“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get,” he added.

Burnham said the next government must stay focused on domestic priorities.

“People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.”

Wes Streeting, another senior Labour figure viewed as a potential contender, said he would back Burnham, increasing the possibility that Burnham could become leader without a contested race.

If no other Labour MP challenges Burnham, he could become party leader and prime minister shortly after nominations close July 16. If a contest takes place, Starmer said the party will choose a successor by Sept. 1.

Opposition leaders said Starmer’s departure should not become another change of personnel without deeper political change.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the next prime minister must address what he called Britain’s “broken politics.”

“The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of prime ministers while nothing really changes for them,” Davey said. “This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in No. 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.”

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, called for a “bold change of direction.”

“The time for half measures and sticking plasters is long gone — if he becomes the next PM, Burnham must be bold or he will be bust,” Polanski said.

European leaders also responded to the announcement.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Starmer in a post on X.

“It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years,” she wrote. “European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you, dear Keir.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius, said Germany had viewed Starmer as a dependable foreign policy partner.

“The German government has always had in Keir Starmer a reliable and close partner in foreign policy questions, particularly regarding Ukraine,” Kornelius told reporters.

He declined to comment on the “internal motives in Britain” but said Berlin expected a planned Wednesday meeting of the “E5” countries — Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Poland — to proceed. The meeting is part of preparations for the upcoming NATO summit.

Starmer delivered his statement behind the official Downing Street lectern, which features the royal coat of arms with a lion and unicorn. The lion is England’s national animal, while the unicorn is Scotland’s official animal. The symbols have appeared together since the crowns of England and Scotland were united in 1603 under King James I of England, who was already King James VI of Scotland.

As Starmer began speaking, protesters nearby played the European Union anthem, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

His voice appeared to catch with emotion near the end of the statement.

The leadership transition now places Labour at a critical point. The party must choose whether to unite quickly around Burnham or hold a full contest at a time when it faces declining poll numbers, internal pressure and growing scrutiny over its ability to win another term.

Starmer said he will remain in office until the process is complete, leaving Britain with a caretaker prime minister while Labour prepares to choose the country’s next leader.