Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he will step down as leader of the Labour Party, setting the stage for a leadership contest that will determine the United Kingdom’s next prime minister.
Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer said he had concluded that he was no longer the right person to lead Labour into the next general election and had informed King Charles III of his decision to resign.
He disclosed that Labour’s governing body had been instructed to establish a timetable for the leadership race, with nominations set to open on July 9 and close before Parliament’s summer recess on July 16.
Starmer explained that if the contest proceeds as planned, a new Labour leader would be chosen before Parliament reconvenes in September. He also pledged to ensure a smooth transfer of power.
He said he would remain prime minister until the leadership election is concluded.
The outgoing Labour leader also promised his successor complete support during the transition.
“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,” he said.
Among the names being tipped to succeed Starmer is Andy Burnham, who is widely viewed as the leading contender after securing a decisive victory over a Reform UK candidate in the Makerfield by election last week.
Burnham confirmed on Monday that he would enter the leadership race before travelling to London to take up his seat in Parliament.
His campaign received an early boost when former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, previously seen as a potential rival, publicly endorsed him.
Speaking to the BBC upon arriving at Euston Station, Burnham praised Starmer’s leadership.
“Dedication and service,” he said, describing the outgoing prime minister’s contribution.
Asked whether he would call a general election if he eventually became prime minister, Burnham replied: “You’re jumping several hurdles ahead. My priority is to be sworn in as the MP for Makerfield.”
When he was formally sworn in as a Member of Parliament, Burnham was welcomed with loud applause from Labour MPs, although some opposition lawmakers heckled him, with one shouting: “He’s not the messiah.”
After taking his seat, he joined approximately 200 Labour MPs in Westminster Hall for a group photograph.
Starmer became Labour leader in April 2020 and entered Downing Street as prime minister on July 5, 2024, following Labour’s landslide general election victory.
His departure will make him the shortest serving Labour prime minister in British history.
Although his tenure exceeded those of former Conservative prime ministers Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, it will be shorter than those of all six previous Labour prime ministers.
His resignation also means Britain is set to have its seventh prime minister since 2016.
Explaining his decision, Starmer said Labour lawmakers had increasingly questioned whether he was the best person to lead the party into another election.
“Whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” he said, had become the central question.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Starmer was accompanied by his wife, Victoria, as he delivered his resignation speech outside Downing Street on Monday morning.
Addressing supporters, colleagues, and staff, he became visibly emotional while reflecting on his future plans after leaving office.
“When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job: being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad; and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”
As he spoke, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy could be heard in the background, played by a protester outside Downing Street.
