British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party and confirmed that he will step down as prime minister once a successor is chosen, ending a turbulent two-year tenure in office.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement outside Downing Street on Monday, Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision and asked the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee to begin the process of electing a new leader. He said he would remain in office during the transition period to ensure an orderly handover of power.
Starmer’s resignation follows months of mounting pressure within the Labour Party, declining approval ratings, poor local election results and growing calls for leadership change. The situation intensified after Andy Burnham won a parliamentary by-election, boosting speculation that he could challenge for the party leadership.
Reports indicate that nominations for the Labour leadership contest will open in July, with a new leader expected to be in place before Parliament returns in September. Burnham is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer, although other senior Labour figures could also enter the race.
Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide election victory in 2024, thanked his family, government staff and supporters during his announcement, saying he would give his successor his full support.
