Keir Starmer of the UK has announced his resignation as prime minister – National
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that he will resign, forced out by his party after missteps and mistakes hurt voters by the prime minister who won a landslide election two years ago on the promise of stable leadership and economic growth.
Starmer says he will remain prime minister until his Labor party chooses a new leader – expected to be Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Burnham confirmed on social media that “I will put myself forward as part of this process.” Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was seen as his main rival for the top job, said he would back Burnham.
It was Burnham’s victory in last week’s parliamentary special election that led to Starmer’s decision to resign. After almost a decade out of Parliament as mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham is returning to Westminster and will be sworn in as an MP later on Monday.
Only members of Parliament can represent party leadership.
Streeting’s statement makes it more likely that Burnham will be elected without a leadership contest.
Starmer is the sixth prime minister in ten years to stand outside 10 Downing Street and announce an early departure. His speech comes a day before Britain celebrates 10 years since it voted to leave the European Union, a decision that is still affecting the country’s economy and politics.
After weeks of insisting he would fight to keep his job, Starmer acknowledged mounting pressure to provide a new leader who could try to revive the government’s fortunes. He led Labor to a landslide election victory in July 2024, but since then his and the party’s popularity has declined.
A new leader will be in place in a few weeks
Starmer made the announcement outside his official residence at 10 Downing St., the place where he delivered his first speech as prime minister two years ago.
His voice was choked with emotion at the end of the short statement, which was watched by a group of staff, Cabinet ministers and a number of journalists.
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am ready to lead us in the next general election,” said Starmer. “I have heard the answer of my party in parliament to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
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He said he spoke to King Charles III, the British constitutional monarch, to inform him of this decision.
Starmer spent the weekend mulling over his future following Burnham’s by-election victory.
It is unclear whether Burnham, who was to be sworn in as an MP on Monday, will face a nomination or a challenge. Starmer said nominations for the leadership contest will open on July 9, and the new leader will be in place when Parliament returns from recess on September 1.
If Burnham is the only candidate, the change could come in mid-July.
Starmer has struggled to deliver on election promises
Starmer has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, fix crumbling public services and ease the cost of living. He has been plagued by repeated mistakes, including his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a disgraced friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as UK ambassador to the United States.
Labor is losing liberal voters to the growing Green Party and is facing a growing Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage that consistently leads in opinion polls across the country.
US President Donald Trump weighed in even before the announcement, linking Starmer’s possible exit to two of his recurring bugs: immigration and renewable energy.
“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He has failed miserably on the two most important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him the best! President DJT,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
Starmer’s warm relationship with the president has soured in recent months over issues including the war on Iran, which the UK did not join.
He gained fame on the world stage
In contrast to the dysfunction of the domestic party, Starmer has won praise for his international role, especially in mobilizing European support for Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression, and working to reduce the economic and political chaos caused by the Iran conflict.
A NATO summit in Turkey next month could be Britain’s last in the world as leader.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Starmer’s legacy.
“It can take many leaders years for you to grow into the politician you became in just two years,” he said to X. “European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you dear Keir.”
While many Labor lawmakers have sided with Burnham, others say Starmer has been unfairly treated. London MP Neil Coyle blasted X for arguing “the prospect of a total award and awarding of the media circus.
“When the next leader can’t change Trump, Iran, Ukraine, Putin, Musk, broadcast programming and algorithmic bias overnight they’ll be out for his blood again. Better keep that guillotine sharp,” he wrote.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
