Keir Starmer announces resignation as UK Prime Minister

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party and said he will step down as Prime Minister once a successor is elected. Starmer is the sixth PM to resign in the UK in the last 10 years.

In an address on Monday, Starmer reflected on Labour’s return to power after 14 years in opposition and highlighted what he described as key achievements of his government over the past two years, including economic growth, falling NHS waiting lists, increased defence spending and measures aimed at reducing poverty.

Starmer said he had accepted the view of Labour lawmakers regarding his future leadership and decided to step aside in the interests of the party and the country. He stated that he had informed King Charles III of his decision and asked Labour’s National Executive Committee to begin the process of selecting a new leader.

According to the timetable outlined by Starmer, nominations for the leadership contest will open on July 9 and conclude before Parliament returns in September. He said he would remain in office as Prime Minister until the leadership election is completed to ensure an orderly transition of power.

The outgoing prime minister expressed confidence that his successor would inherit a stronger and fairer Britain than the one he took over two years ago. He also thanked Labour colleagues, Downing Street staff and the civil service for their support during his tenure.

Concluding his remarks, Starmer said he looked forward to spending more time with his family, thanking his wife and children for their support throughout his political career.

With Starmer’s resignation, the UK is set to get the seventh prime minister of the country since Brexit in 2016, indicating political volatility in the world’s fifth largest economy. Andy Burnham is the favourite to succeed him.