British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday his resignation, being forced out by his party after missteps and errors soured voters’ goodwill. Starmer had secured a decisive electoral victory two years ago, promising stable leadership and economic growth.
He will remain as interim prime minister until the Labour Party elects a new leader. Increasing expectations suggest Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, could be the successor. Burnham confirmed his candidacy on social media, while his main rival, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, expressed support for Burnham.
Burnham’s recent parliamentary by-election victory prompted Starmer’s decision to resign. After serving as Mayor and being away from Parliament for nearly a decade, Burnham returns to Westminster to be sworn in as a legislator. Only Members of Parliament can run for the party’s leadership.
Streeting’s statement increases the likelihood of Burnham being chosen without a leadership contest. Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to announce an early departure. His statement coincides with the UK marking the tenth anniversary of its Brexit vote, a decision still impacting the economy and politics.
Starmer initially insisted he would fight to remain, but increasing pressure led him to step aside for a new leader to try to revive the government’s fortunes. He led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in July 2024, but since then, his and the party’s popularity declined.
Starmer made the announcement outside the official residence at 10 Downing St, where he gave his first speech as prime minister two years ago. His voice broke toward the end of his brief statement, witnessed by a group of staff, cabinet ministers, and journalists.
“The question my party now asks is whether I am best positioned to lead us into the next general election,” he said. “I have heard my parliamentary party’s response and accept it graciously.”
He informed King Charles III of his decision over the weekend after reflecting on Burnham’s by-election win. It remains unclear if Burnham will face direct competition. Starmer announced leadership nominations will open on July 9, with the new leader in place by September 1, when Parliament returns from its summer break.
If Burnham is unopposed, the change could happen by mid-July. Starmer faced challenges in delivering on electoral promises, struggling with economic growth, deteriorating public services, and living costs. He made repeated errors, including appointing Peter Mandelson, an associate of scandal-ridden Jeffrey Epstein, as UK ambassador to the US.
The Labour Party is losing liberal voters to the growing Green Party and facing challenges from Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration party, Reform UK, which leads national opinion polls.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented even before the announcement, linking Starmer’s potential exit to issues of immigration and renewable energy. Trump’s social media post noted, “Keir Starmer will resign as UK Prime Minister. He failed miserably on two important issues: IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN THE NORTH SEA OIL!). Best wishes! President DJT.”
Starmer’s initially warm relationship with Trump has soured over disagreements, including the UK not joining a war with Iran.
Despite domestic stumbles, Starmer received international praise, particularly for rallying European support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion and mitigating economic and political unrest from the Iran conflict. An upcoming NATO summit in Turkey may be his last global engagement as UK leader.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commended Starmer’s legacy, tweeting, “It can take many leaders years to become the statesman you became in just two years. European and Ukrainian security is stronger thanks to you. Thank you, dear Keir.”
While many Labour legislators back Burnham, some believe Starmer was treated unfairly. London legislator Neil Coyle criticized recent media handling and suggested the same trials will await the next leader.
“When the next leader cannot overnight change Trump, Iran, Ukraine, Putin, Musk, editorial bias, and algorithm bias, they will also be called to account. Best to keep that guillotine sharp,” wrote Coyle.
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