British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation Monday, after numerous Labour members of Parliament called for him to step down.
“Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first,” Starmer said. “That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”
Starmer’s successor will be Great Britain’s seventh prime minister in only 10 years, the same year the country voted to leave the European Union.
| Prime Ministers since Brexit | Date Sworn in | Days in Office |
|---|---|---|
| David Cameron | May 8, 2015 (second term) | 429 days (during second term) |
| Theresa May | July 13, 2016 | 1,106 days |
| Boris Johnson | July 24, 2019 | 1,140 days |
| Liz Truss | Sept. 6, 2022 | 49 days |
| Rishi Sunak | Oct. 25, 2022 | 619 days |
| Keir Starmer | July 5, 2024 | 717 days (and counting) |
Calls for Starmer’s resignation surfaced among Labour MPs in early May when right-leaning Reform UK gained sweeping victories over Labour in local elections.
Starmer will remain caretaker prime minister until a successor is chosen.
In his resignation speech, Starmer said, “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 … and being the best dad I can to my children who are my pride and my joy.”
The front-runner to be the next prime minister is Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester.
Starmer gives resignation speech
Starmer announced his resignation outside of his London office and residence on Downing Street.
“Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life,” said Starmer in his resignation speech on Downing Street. “A new Labour government, the first in 14 years … a chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better.”
“Six years ago,” the prime minister continued, “I inherited a Labour party that was politically, financially, and morally bankrupt.”
“We changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defense, and national security, and becoming a party that once again that stood with, not against, our national flag.”
Starmer touted his record over the past two years, listing numerous economic and political achievements reached during his ministry.
“The question my party is asking now,” Starmer said, “is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Starmer announced that nominations for a new Labour Party leader will begin on July 9.
Who will be the U.K.’s next prime minister?
There is consensus among Labour MPs that Andy Burnham will be the next prime minister.
Burnham was sworn in as the MP of Makerfield on Monday. He previously served as the MP for Leigh from 2001 until he became the mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017. Burnham served as mayor until he won the election to return to parliament last week.
Wes Streeting, who was seen as a likely challenger for prime minister, announced his support for Burnham, in a letter posted on X.
In the letter, Streeting said, “We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help (Burnham) to deliver the change our Party and our country needs.”
If no challengers arise, Burnham could be sworn in as early as July 16.
