In a brief statement read outside the prime minister's 10 Downing St. residence, Starmer said he accepted the fact with good grace that he is not the best placed to lead the Labor Party into the next general election and announced a premature departure.
He noted that he had informed King Charles III of this decision, adding, "I have asked 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 a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September. I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is completed. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power."
Born in 1962, Keir Starmer became the leader of the UK Labour Party in 2020 and the British Prime Minister in July 2024 following Labour's landslide victory in the general election. This victory brought the Labour Party back to power in the UK after 14 years.
Starmer’s nearly two-year tenure was undermined by stubborn economic stagnation, historic-low approval ratings, and damaging internal controversies.
The victory of Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a major rival of Keir Starmer within the Labour Party, in the election on June 19 to return to the British Parliament has placed even greater pressure on Starmer to resign.
According to British media, if no other figure challenges for the leadership position, it is highly likely that Burnham will be elected leader of the Labour Party, thereby becoming the British Prime Minister in mid-July 2026.
