Keir Starmer announced his resignation as British Prime Minister on Monday amid turmoil within the Labor Party. His departure marks another brief term in Downing Street, adding to Britain’s recent cycle of short tenures.Speaking outside No. 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision earlier in the day and would remain prime minister until a new Labor leader is elected. His government initially enjoyed strong public support but later faced challenges on the economy, public services and intra-party divisions.More than two years ago, he led the Labor Party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, ending the Conservative Party’s 14-year rule and becoming the 58th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.ALSO READ | Who will replace Keir Starmer? The main contenders in the British Prime Minister’s electionAnnouncing his decision, Starmer said the question facing Labor was whether he was still the right person to lead the party into the next general election.“I have heard my party’s answer to that question and I readily accept that answer,” he said.“Every decision I make is to put the country I love first. I will resign as leader of the Labor Party.”His future has been speculative for weeks after a series of political setbacks, declining public support and growing calls within the Labor Party for a leadership change.Starmer said he had spoken to the King on Monday morning and asked Labour’s national executive committee to begin the process of electing a new leader.According to the timetable, nominations for the leadership contest will open on July 9 and end before Parliament’s summer recess to ensure a new Labor leader is selected before lawmakers return in September.Until then, Starmer has said he will remain Prime Minister.In his speech, Starmer reviewed Labour’s return to government and defended his record as leader.He said the Labor Party he inherited was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and recalled how many times he was told the party was “done”.“But we proved those people wrong,” he said.Starmer added that his leadership had transformed the Labor Party by “clearing out the poison of anti-Semitism” and “restoring trust in the economy, defense and national security”.The outgoing prime minister also said entering Downing Street after Labour’s victory was the proudest moment of his life.“Walking down Downing Street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life,” he said.“I entered politics for the opportunity to make life better for millions of people.”
The pressure is getting bigger
Starmer’s resignation follows a series of political setbacks, declining public support and growing internal turmoil among party members demanding a leadership change.Speculation has intensified following the recent parliamentary victory of Andy Burnham, who is widely seen as the leading contender to succeed Starmer and has become a key figure within the Labor Party.The news makes Starmer the latest British prime minister to leave office before completing a full term, continuing a period of political instability that has seen numerous leadership changes at Westminster over the past decade.In an emotional summary of his resignation speech, Starmer said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family after leaving what he called “the biggest job in the country”.“The best husband I can be is dedicated to my amazing wife Vic, who has been my rock in the good times and the bad,” he said visibly emotional.He added: “And do my best to be the best father I can be to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”Starmer then hugged his wife, Victoria Starmer, before returning to 10 Downing Street, where supporters and staff gathered outside applauded.In July 2024, the Labor Party won an overwhelming victory in the general election, and Keir Starmer was elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, ending the 14-year rule of the Conservative Party.The 61-year-old Labor leader promised to bring about change, stressing the need for results. In his first speech as Britain’s new Prime Minister, he praised his predecessor Rishi Sunak, acknowledging Sunak’s dedication and hard work in leadership.
