British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, has announced his resignation, bringing an abrupt end to a premiership that began with a historic election victory but became increasingly overshadowed by internal party rebellion, poor electoral performances and growing public dissatisfaction.
An emotional Starmer made the announcement on Monday outside 10 Downing Street, saying he had “heard the answer” from members of his party on whether he remained the right person to lead Labour into the next general election and was accepting that verdict “with good grace.”
In his resignation speech, Starmer pledged to ensure an orderly transition of power and said he would remain in office until a new Labour leader is elected.
He said, “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.
“I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on the 9th of July and completed by the summer recess. In the case of context, this will ensure a new leader is in place before parliament return in September.
“I will remain in post as Prime Minister until a contest is complete and I will do everything I can to ensure an utterly handover of power.”
Watch live: My statement. https://t.co/MX7ga3FRGq
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2026
Starmer, a former human rights lawyer and ex-Director of Public Prosecutions, rose to power after leading the Labour Party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, ending years of Conservative rule and returning Labour to government for the first time in over a decade.
However, his time in office was increasingly marked by political turbulence.
In recent months, Starmer faced mounting calls to step down following Labour’s poor showing in local elections across England, Scotland and Wales, where the party reportedly lost more than 1,000 council seats.
The electoral setbacks triggered an open revolt within Labour, with scores of MPs demanding a change of leadership amid fears that the party could lose further ground to the surging Reform UK movement led by Nigel Farage.
His position was further weakened by a series of cabinet resignations, internal disputes and criticism over what opponents described as a lack of clear political direction. Several senior Labour figures publicly questioned whether he remained capable of leading the party into the next election.
According to reports, pressure on Starmer intensified following the return of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to Westminster politics, with many Labour MPs reportedly viewing him as a potential successor capable of reviving the party’s fortunes.
His departure marks a dramatic fall for a politician who, less than two years ago was celebrated for delivering one of Labour’s most decisive electoral victories in modern British history.
The resignation now sets the stage for what is expected to be a fierce leadership contest within the governing Labour Party, with Andy Burnham emerging as one of the early favourites to replace him.
(SaharaReporters)
